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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.! 

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[SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.} 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE; 



THE RELATION OF 



THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION 



WORK OF THE MINISTRY. 



AN ADDKESS DELIVERED ON OCCASION OF THE 

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIRMOUNT 

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, JUNE 21, 1854. 



WITH AN APPENDIX, RELATING CHIEFLY TO THE ORGANIZATION 
AND PROGRESS OK THE SEMINARY. 



By EDMUND TURKEY, 

PROFESSOR OF DIRLICAL LITERATURE AISD INTERPRETATION. 



CINCINNATI: 
ANDERSON, GATES AND WRIGHT. 

T OLEDO: 
ANDERSON, BURR AND CO. 

1857. 




The Library 

OF Covr i, v^g 
Washington 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by 



In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern 
District of Ohio. 



Cincinnati, Jan. 15, 1857. 
Rev. and Dear Brother — 

At a recent meeting of the Executive Com- 
mittee of the Western Baptist Education Society, 
it was unanimously resolved, that a copy of the 
address delivered by you at the First Anniver- 
sary of the Fairmount Theological Seminary, be 
requested for publication. 

The undersigned, were appointed a committee 
to communicate to you this resolution. Believing 
that the publication of this address will contri- 
bute to diffuse just views of the importance of 
ministerial culture, we may be permitted to ex- 
press the hope that you will accede to the request 
of the Committee. 

Very sincerely yours, 

W. F. Hansell, 
J. Stevens. 
Rev. E. Turney, D. D., 

Prof, Bib. Lit. and Interp., 
in the Fairmount Theo. Sem. 



PREFATORY NOTICE 

BY THE 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



The Executive Committee, at whose request the follow- 
ing Address has h^en published, would invite the attentiou 
of the reader to the following extracts of letters and notices 
of the work, as indicative of its design and characteristics, 
expressing the hope that a similar interest in the promotion 
of the object had in view in its publication, and a similar 
desire for its " circulation," will generally be cherished, and, 
as opportunity is presented, practically exemplified, by the 
members- of onr churches. 

From Rev. K A. Crawley, D. D., Pastor of the Mount Auburn 
Baptist Church, Cincinnati, and late President of Acadia 
College, N. 8. 

" I have read with unfeigned pleasure and interest your Ad- 
dress on Ministerial Culture. It appears almost superfluous 
for me to say, that the republication of this excellent treatise is 
well timed, and must, with God's blessing, do good. 

The clearness with which the subject is presented in it? 
8criptural and practical aspects, must, it strikes me, be admira- 
bly adapted to effect the end sought. 

Prejudice and indifference are powerful enemies ; but truth 
is mightier than they. I trust you will eventually see the Fair- 
mount Seminary occupying a position beyond the furthest range 
of your present hopes, — and I have no doubt that when that 
event shall arrive, this treatise, if largely circulated, will be 
honored as one of the most efficient instruments towards go 
desirable a consummation." 

(vii) 



V1U NOTICES OF THE WORK. 

From Rev. J. Bowling, D. D., Pastor of the Berean Baptist 
Church, New York. 

"I have read the work with very great pleasure. It ■will be 
found valuable, not only for the historical facts in relation to 
ministerial education among Baptists during the past two 
centuries, which it embodies, but for its able and conclusive 
reasonings upon the design and work of the Christian ministry, 
and the importance of literary, and especially theological train- 
ing, in increasing ministerial efficiency. 

I consider the work eminently adapted to awaken a deeper 
interest in ministerial education in the rapidly-growing churches 
of the North- Western States, as well as to teach them the im- 
portance and practicability of prosecuting the work which their 
own independent and united wisdom has commenced, for edu- 
cating a ministiy for themselves. 

The facts embodied in the Appendix, in relation to the 
history and progress of the Fairmount Theological Seminary, 
add much to the value and interest of the book. — I am very 
much pleased with the system of education as explained in the 
Appendix.' ' 

From Bev. W. F. Hansell, Pastor of the Ninth St. Baptist 
Church, Cincinnati. 

" The earnestness and skill with which the theme is treated, 
can not fail to command the interest of the reader, and to deepen 
his sense of the importance of an educated ministry. The 
scriptural argument is forcibly presented. 

The subject is discussed by one whose experience and success 
as a teacher in theology, give weight to his suggestions ; and 
we cordially commend the work as a valuable addition to our 
literature upon this subject. 

In the Appendix are to be found some facts of great interest, 
pertaining to the history of the Fairmount Theological Semi- 
nary. 

It is admitted that our efficiency as a denomination, is 
greatly dependent upon the prevalence, among the churches, of 
sound^ Scriptural views of the importance of ministerial educa- 
tion. This work will contribute to the diffusion of such views, 
and should have a wide circulation, especially in the West and 
North- west." 



NOTICES OF THE WORK. IX 

From the Christian Chronicle* 

{t This is a very able address. Ministerial culture is presented 
in a light which must carry conviction to the mind of the can- 
did reader. It was well to print an address so valuable, and 
give it to the friends of an educated ministry for reflection. 
Good must result from its timely publication. 

Its review of the past, and its bearings on the future, are full 
of suggestions for all the friends of the rising ministry. 

The sketch of the origin and progress of the Fairmount In- 
stitution is full of interest." 

From the Michigan Christian Herald. 

"A valuable part of this little book is a brief history of the 
efforts, in the Baptist denomination, to promote the means of 
ministerial culture, beginning just after the revolution of 1G88 
in England, and continuing down to the present time. 

The author's views, also, in regard to the design and work 
of the ministry, of the necessity of intellectual culture, as well 
as of deep piety and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, as 
qualifications for the proper discharge of its duties, are eminently 
sound and Scriptural. They are such views as must prevail, and 
become operative with the Baptist denomination everywhere." 

From the Witness, of Indianapolis. 

" It presents the subject of ministerial Education in an able 
and Scriptural light, — containing sound and important views 
of the subject, — with copious historical and explanatory notes." 

From the New Yorlc Chronicle. 

" It is a well thought out production, like every thing from 
the author's pen, and is worthy of the careful attention of the 
pastors and churches generally." 

From the Christian Watchman and Reflector. 

" The first anniversary of the Fairmount Theological Semi- 
nary, was an occasion of special interest to the cause of theolo- 
gical education in the West. 

The author presents sober and Scriptural views of ministe- 
rial culture, with the earnestness which the subject demands. 
The Appendix gives full information respecting the Fairmount 
Seminary. The circulation of such a discourse must be pro- 
ductive of good effects." 



X I NOTICES OF THE WORK. 

From tJie CJirisiian Times. 

After reference to the plan of the Address, and to the 
Appendix as "explaining the plan and course of study- 
adopted at Fairmount," and containing "various articles 
relating to the general subject of Theological education in 
the West/' and in connection with an allusion to the "dis- 
cussion of the subject," as "discriminating, clear, and con- 
clusive," it is added: 

" It is one of the best works we have seen on the subject 
it treats." 

The following, from the Journal and Messenger, although 
it d.oes not relate exclusively to the work to which it invites 
attention, has a Very obvious relation to the general object 
designed to be promoted by its publication, and, as an illus- 
tration of the correctness and practicability of the views 
advocated in the work, may be properly here introduced. 



" Perhaps we cannot better illustrate the " relation " which is 
claimed by the author of the work, to exist between theological 
education and the work of the ministry, than by introducing an 
extract or two of a letter from a worthy pastor in one of the 
Western States, a graduate from an Eastern college, who was for 
a season, connected as a student with the Seminary at Fair- 
mount. 

After laboring with acceptance for a period of two or three 
years, as pastor, in New England, he had his attention directed 
to the West, as the field of his future labors ; but before deciding 
upon a place of settlement, he was induced, by special invitation, 
to enter the Senior Class of the Seminary, and prosecute to com- 
pletion the course of theological study, having gone over most 
of the studies of the first year at a former period. After refer- 
ring to "a precious revival of religion" enjoyed in the church 
of which he is pastor, during the past winter, he says : 

'I have read with deep interest, the publication on Ministerial 
Culture. I regard the Institution at Fairmount as being in the 
able, judicious, and highly practical character of its instructions, 
and the spirit of piety with which it is pervaded, eminently 
adapted to train up a devoted and efficient ministry. 

' It was more through the direction of Providence, than from 
any premeditated design, that I was led to a connection, for a 



NOTICES OF THE WORK. XX 

season, with the Seminary. Having spent several years in a 
course of education, I had little inclination to interrupt tho 
labors of the ministry, on which I had but recently entered, and 
resume studies in connection with an Institution. * * * * 
But, having enjoyed the advantages of the Seminary, and being 
permitted again to enter upon pastoral labors, I can not regret 
that I was thus led, in the providence of God, to a more full 
and thorough investigation of the doctrines of the Bible, and 
the proper work and obligations of the pastoral office^ through 
the instructions of the Seminary. 

'I have again entered upon the work of the ministry, with 
the conviction of having received almost invaluable aid from the 
studies thus pursued. I have received many important sug- 
gestions, which I shall act upon with profit through life. My 
views have been enlarged, my tastes improved, my defects cor- 
rected. 

'The exercises in Homiletics have been of great service to me. 
Through these exercises there has been acquired a largely in- 
creased power and facility in sermonizing. I feel impelled to 
speak with great admiration of the eminently correct, judicious, 
and practical instructions on this subject. To these I am 
greatly indebted for an improvement in my style and manner 
of preaching, by which it is, I can not but think, rendered more 
appropriate and effective. 

* My experience assures me that in the work of preparation 
for the ministry, I have received more direct aid, during the 
period spent at the Seminary, than during a much greater 
length of time in any previous part of my course of study.' " 



CONTENTS. 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE, 

Relating to the duty of the churches with reference to an 
increase of laborers in the ministry and their prepara- 
tion for their work. 

ADDRESS. 

PART I — Relations of the enterprise to the past — 
Interest of Baptists in Ministerial Education during a pe- 
riod of nearly two centuries — Various counteracting influ- 
ences — Action of the Convention of Baptists in London 
in 1689 — Formation of the Education Society at Bris- 
tol in 1770 — Action of the Philadelphia Association in 
1722 — School at Hopewell — Interest in the establish- 
ment of Rhode Island College — Appropriations to bene- 
ficiaries in 1767 — Movement in behalf of ministerial 
education, A. D. 1789-92 — Action of the Charleston 
Association — Testimony of President Manning — Action 
of the Warren Association — Organization of Education 
Societies — Literary and Theological Institutions — West- 
ern Baptist Convention in 1833 — Proposed Theological 
Institution, and Western Baptist Education Society — 
The Fairmount Theological Seminary. 

PART II — Relations to the future, or to the objects 

to be accomplished — Design and importance of the 

ministry — An efficient ministry — Importance of piety — 

Of intellectual culture — Direction to pray for laborers — 

The Apostles set apart to the work of preparation — 

( xiii ) 



XIV CONTENTS. 

Apostolic directions with regard to ministerial qualifica- 
tions — Ability to make use of all Scripture desirable — 
Nature of the work to be performed — The preaching 
of the Word — The perfecting of the saints — Confuta- 
tion of error, and defence of the Gospel — What a theo- 
logical education includes — By whom it should bo 
sought — Missionary character of the enterprise — The 
spirit to be cultivated by the theological student — Sym- 
pathy with those with whom he is to be associated in 
the ministry — Practical sympathy with the work of th6 
ministry. 

APPENDIX. 

Note A. — Origin of the Fairmount Theological Semin- 
ary — Action of the North-Western Convention in 1843. 

Note B. — Progress of the Seminary, as a ground of en- 
couragement with regard to the future. 

Note C. — Kegular Course of Instruction in the Seminary 

Note D. — Characteristics of the system of education. 

Note E. — Advantages of a theological education, and the 
duty of those called to the ministry, to seek it. 

Note F. — Advantages of the Seminary in respect to those 
already in the ministry. 

Note G. — Cultivation of a missionary spirit among theo- 
logical students. 

Note H. — Location of graduates. 

Note I. — The Preparatory Department. 

Note J. — Testimonial of Examination. 

Note K. — Libraiw of the Seminary. 

Note L. — Anniversary of the Seminary, June 17, 1857. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

In consenting to the publication of the following ad- 
dress, the author has been influenced by the hope that it 
might, to some extent, be effective in awakening among 
our churches a deeper and more permanent interest in 
the object which it is designed to promote. The subject 
of ministerial education is one which, not merely con- 
cerns the few who may be convened on an anniversary 
occasion, but in which the great body of the ministry and 
membership of the churches, ought to be no less directly 
and earnestly interested. It is one which is intimately 
related to all that is dearest and most important in the 
means adapted to promote the interests of Zion and the 
salvation of souls. 

Among the few specific subjects of prayer noticed in the 
instructions given by our Lord to his disciples during his 
public ministry, is that which relates to an increase of 
" laborers" in the gospel harvest field. And, as in tho 
petition, " Thy kingdom come," it is supposed that it will, 
if sincere, be accompanied, on the part of him who 
utters it, with corresponding efforts to seek the advance- 
ment of the kingdom ; it is no less so in the prayer that 
" the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into 

hi3 harvest." There is in this respect a work to be per- 

(xv) 



XVI INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

formed by the churches. They are to cherish, and, as far 
as practicable, encourage the gifts which God has given 
them ; to call them out, and open the way for their im- 
provement. Is it not in all respects as appropriate that 
the Baptist churches of this country, should at the pre- 
sent time "make inquiry among themselves if they 
have an}' young men hopeful for the ministry," as it 
was in 1722 ? 

Again, may we not believe that with an increase of 
deep, evangelical piety in the churches, there would be 
an increase in the number of those who would have their 
attention irresistibly drawn to the work of the minis- 
try ? Why should the pressing call from eveiy quarter 
come to us year after year,— 'Send us more laborers,' 
and so few be ready to respond, Here am I, send me ? 
Have not the ministry and the churches a degree of re- 
sponsibility in this matter, of which they have not, per- 
haps, with very few exceptions, formed any adequate 
conception ? 

But it is a significant fact, that our Lord at the very 
time he gave the direction to pray for an increase of 
laborers, did not, in ordaining his disciples to the work to 
which he had called them, seek to accomplish the object 
of the prayer, by at once sending them forth into the 
harvest field. It was not until after years of prepara- 
tion, that they received their final commission. So in the 
case of those who are called to the work of the ministry 
at the present day, — if it be the will of the Master that 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. XV ii 

they should enjoy the means of a proper culture, it is 
obviously the duty of the churches to see that these 
means are brought within their reach, and that they avail 
themselves of them. There are few subjects pertaining 
to the means for promoting the cause of Christ, which 
ought to be so intensely interesting to the heart of the 
Christian, as that of ministerial culture — and by this, as 
the phrase is used in connection with the following ad- 
dress, is meant a culture which, while it seeks to disci- 
pline the mind for the work of the ministry, to train it 
to correct habits of thought and of action, and to store it 
with useful and available knowledge, extends not less truly 
to the heart, — by which the heart is brought into sympa- 
thy with the truth, is enabled to appreciate and feel its 
preciousness, and to know by experience its adaptation to 
the wants of men. If the suggestions contained in the 
address shall have the effect to show the importance of 
such a culture, and to awaken an interest in its being 
sought by those who are called to the ministry, the object 
for which they are now sent out will be accomplished. 

In an Appendix is introduced a series of articles relat- 
ing chiefly to the origin and progress of the Seminary, 
its organization, its system of education, and other items 
of information respecting it which may be of interest to 
those to whom it naturally looks for support. It is hoped 
they may find in the statements given, ground for encour- 
agement with regard to the future, as well as for earnest 

and united effort in aiding its Trustees to promote the 
2 



XV111 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

object for which it has been established. Attention is 
called to the features of the system of education adopted, 
particularly with respect to its adaptation to promote the 
end proposed, a suitable preparation for the work of the 
ministry ; as also to the suggestions in Note B respecting 
the causes of hindrance which exist, and the importance 
of suitable measures for overcoming them, especially for 
awakening among the churches within the field of our 
operation, a deeper and more effective interest in behalf 
of the ultimate object had in view. These counteracting 
influences should be viewed as occasions, not for relaxing, 
in the slightest degree, our efforts, but rather for renewed 
and vigorous exertion to accomplish as fully as possible 
the purpose originally contemplated. Attention is also 
directed to the remarks in Note E respecting the advan- 
tages of a theological education to those called to the 
work of the ministry, and their duty, even at the cost of 
inconvenience and self-denial, to avail themselves of 
them. Above all, it is earnestly desired that the enter- 
prise which has originated in the faith and best contribu- 
tions of the churches, may continue to enjoy their fervent 
prayers, that the influence identified with it, and by which 
it is controlled, may ever be in perfect harmony with the 
object to be accomplished, and such as shall be in all 
respects adapted to aid in securing for the churches and 
the world a devoted and efficient ministry. 

Fairmount Theological Seminary, March 2, 1857. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 



The occasion on which we are convened, 
the first anniversary of this Seminary, which 
after years of prayerful and patient toil, has 
been established on this beautiful spot, and is 
now in successful operation, is especially adapt- 
ed to bring before our minds the prominent 
relations of the enterprise in which, as the 
friends and supporters of the Institution, we 
are engaged. Hence it will not be inappro- 
priate, if we seek to improve the occasion, by 
calling attention to some of the facts and 
considerations adapted to exhibit the nature 
and importance of these relations- Such an 
exhibition can hardly fail to give the enter- 
prise a firmer hold on the sympathies and 
efforts of its friends, while, at the same time, 
it may tend toward the removal of any 
lingering prejudice against it, which may 
exist in the minds of those who have not yet 

(19) 



20 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

given it their hearty approval. In order the 
most effectually to promote these objects, we 
propose/ before proceeding to exhibit the es- 
sential relations of the enterprise to the 
future, or, more precisely, to the objects to be 
accomplished, to notice: 

I. Its relations to the past, or to the 

CAUSES WHICH HAVE OPERATED IN THE ESTABLISH- 
MENT of the Institution. The origin of the In- 
stitution is to be traced to the prevalence in 
the denomination of a sentiment calling for in- 
The interest of creased facilities for the educa- 

BaptistemMin- ^ Qf ^ minis w Nor fe 
istenal Educa- / 

tion. this sentiment, as is supposed by 

many, of recent origin. It has been widely 
cherished and frequently expressed by the 
Baptist churches of this country and of Eng- 
land, from the earliest periods of their history 
in their present associated capacity. The 
apathy and neglect manifested by many in 
our churches, with regard to the cause of 
ministerial education, are doubtless to a very 
great extent, nourished by an impression that 
the fathers of the denomination in earlier 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 21 

times, those to whose labors under God we 
are in no small degree indebted for our pres- 
ent prosperity, were either indifferent or 
opposed to all direct and systematic efforts 
for the education of the ministry. Were 
such an impression justified by facts in the 
history of the denomination, it could avail 
nothing toward releasing the churches of the 
present day, from a duty which, as we shall 
presently show, is clearly revealed in the 
word of God, and, as thus revealed, is made 
especially imperative by the exigencies of the 
times in which we live. Or even could it be 
shown that the views thus imputed to the 
ministry of an earlier period, were actually 
suited to the state of things that then existed, 
it would by no means follow, as a proper in- 
ference, that they are adapted to the present 
age. It is the duty of the church at all 
times to seek a ministry adapted as fully as 
possible to the circumstances in which it is 
required to act. 

We are very far from admitting, however, 
that such have been until recently, either in 
this country or in England, the prevalent 



22 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

views of the fathers of the denomination, 
whose practical wisdom and abundant labors 
w T e are apcustomed to admire. We shall 
rather find on examination the opposite of 
this to be true. We do not deny, indeed, 
that during the protracted struggle for reli- 
gious liberty in this country, strong prejudices 
existed in certain quarters against 

Counteracting . -, , ^ -, . 1 . . 

influences. th e tyP e °* an educated minis- 

try too common in some of the 
dominant religious sects, — prejudices excited 
in most cases, we apprehend, by the exhibi- 
tion of traits resulting from the spirit of the 
age, united not unfrequently with a real defi- 
ciency of ministerial character, rather than by 
anything pertaining to the possession of true 
learning. We readily admit the existence of 
an apathy, altogether unjustifiable, with re- 
gard to the adoption of practical measures for 
the promotion of the object, in many cases 
where its importance was admitted. Nor 
would we overlook the fact, that the purposes 
expressed, and the plans adopted for its pro- 
motion, were, in some instances, in conse- 
quence of embarrassments arising from the 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 23 

character of the times and from other causes, 
but very imperfectly carried into execution. 
The system of organized effort by which 
benevolent enterprises are now prosecuted 
with such efficiency, had not then been brought 
into general use; and serious obstacles ex- 
isted to its successful prosecution in the few 
cases in which it was attempted, Hence it is 
no occasion for surprise, that far less than the 
wants of the times evidently required, was 
done toward promoting an object the import- 
ance of which was admitted, and which was 
repeatedly and earnestly urged upon the 
attention of the churches. The correctness 
of the position here stated, is abundantly 
proved by the records of the denomination 
for a period of nearly two centuries. 

No sooner had the Revolution of 1688 se- 
cured religious liberty to the Baptists of 
England, than a movement was started to 
unite their efforts for the promotion of objects 
considered as having an important connection 
with the interests of Zion. A convention 
composed of the ministers and messengers of 
more than one hundred Baptist churches in 



24 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

England and Wales, met during the next 
year for the purpose of consultation and of 
Action of the adopting suitable plans of ac- 
convention in tion. Prominent among the 
acts of this Convention was a 
resolution to raise a stock or fund to be ex- 
pended in aiding churches which were not 
able to sustain their pastors, — in sending out 
duly qualified ministers to visit churches, and 
to preach the gospel where it had not been 
published, — and in assisting members of the 
churches who had promising gifts, w r ere sound 
in fundamentals, and inclined to study, in at- 
taining to a knowledge of the languages, 
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, — an education 
which, as far as it extended, had special refer- 
ence to a knowledge of the sacred Scriptures. 
As indicative of the interest that was felt in 
the last named object, it may be proper to 
state that a portion of what w T as contributed 
by the churches during the ensuing year for 
the purposes of this fund, was sent in with the 
direction that it should be " entirely disposed 
of for the education of young ministers." 
Out of this movement sprang the celebrated 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 25 

Bristol Academy ) in connection with which was 
organized in 1770, a general Education Soci- 
ety, the object of which is thus stated : " That 
dissenting congregations, espe- ForaationofthQ 
cially of the Baptist denomina- Education Soci- 
tion, in any part of the British efcy at nst0 ' 
dominions, may, if it please God, be more 
effectually supplied with a succession of able 
and evangelical ministers, and that missiona- 
ries may be sent to those places where there 
is an opening for the gospel." It is worthy 
of notice, that the first general Society organ- 
ized among Baptists for the specific purpose 
of providing, " that missionaries might be sent 
to those places where there was an opening for 
the gospel," was an Education Society. It 
would be interesting, if it were in point, to 
trace the connection between this movement 
and those influences which, at a later period, 
led to the establishment of the Baptist mis- 
sions in India. 

Equally interesting and instructive is the 
history of efforts to promote the education of 
the ministry, in connection with the Baptist 
churches of this country. More than fifty 



> 



26 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

years before the war of the American Rev- 
Action of the ^ u ^ on ^ the Philadelphia Asso- 
Phiiaddpiiia As- ciation, the oldest body of the 

kind in the country, recorded a 
vote recommending to the churches " to make 
inquiry among themselves if they had any 
oung persons hopeful for the ministry," who 
were inclined to learning, and if so, to give 
notice of it, that they might be recommended 
to the college " on Mr. Hollis, his account.'* 

In 1756, we find the association taking 
measures to sustain a school at Hopewell, N. 

J., " that young men promising 

School at Hope- j Qf ^ ministry m i g J lt m j y the 

benefits of education." With the 
sanction of the association, it was placed 
under the care of Rev. Isaac Eaton, and u the 
inspection of brethren Abel Morgan, Isaac 
Stelle, Abel Griffith, and Peter Peterson Van- 
horn," four of the most esteemed and influen- 
tial ministers belonging to the association. 
" Toward the encouragement " of this school, 
it was " concluded to raise a sum of money f 
and during several successive years it was 
commended to the sympathy and " contribu- 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 27 

tions" of the churches. In a letter sent by or- 
der of the association in 1762 to the "Board 
of Particular Baptist Ministers in London/' in 
connection with a reference to the number of 
churches in the association, and to the fact 
that some of them were destitute of pastors, 
is the statement that there was, nevertheless, 
" a prospect of supplies, partly by means of — 
this infant seminary of learning." 

In perfect accordance with the spirit of this 
movement, it was "agreed" at the meeting of 
the association in 17 G 4, — the "consultations 
being loving and unanimous through the 
whole," — " to inform the churches, that inas- 
much as a charter had been obtained in 
Rhode Island government to- interest in the 

t ,• -o j. j r\ n establishment of 

ward erecting a Baptist College, Rhode Island 
the churches should be liberal College. 
toward carrying the same into execution." 
In the Minutes for 1766, in connection with 
the statement that there were already in the 
College "three promising youths under the 
tuition of President Manning," we find the 
following record: "Agreed to recommend 
warmly to our churches the interest of the 



28 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

College, for ivhich a subscription has been 
opened all over the continent" It was the pro- 
spective relation of this " Baptist College " to 
the education of the ministry, which, more 
than anything else, gave it such a hold on 
the sympathy of the Baptist churches of that 
day. The object at first sought in connection 
with the school at Hopewell, it was hoped 
might be more fully accomplished under a 
charter obtained from the liberal government 
of Rhode Island. And had the system of 
education adopted in the final organization of 
the College, been more fully adapted to the 
wants of the ministry, it cannot be doubted 
that a far greater number of Baptist minis- 
ters, — both in New England, and in the 
Middle States, which were equally interested 
in the project of its establishment, — w r ould 
have shared in its benefits. 

From 1767 we find the association for 

several years making annual appropriations to 

young men in a course of study 

Appropriations ■/ . o J 

to beneficiaries in preparatory to the work of the 

ministry, from the interest of 

a "bounty" or "donation" which was held 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 29 

for this express purpose. Previously to 1779, 
at which time the principal was, by order of 
the association, "put into the continental 
fund/' nine young men had thus been aided 
in the prosecution of their studies. In 1770 
the following regulation, relating to these 
appropriations, was adopted : " Agreed that 
any person hereafter applying for said boun- 
ty, shall produce a recommendation from the 
church he belongs unto, relative to his minis- 
terial gifts, upon such trials as they shall put 
him to." 

We next pass to a period in the history of 
the denomination, A. D. 1789 — 1792, during 
which a movement in behalf of ministerial 
education was started in differ- Movement in be- 

, ,. pii i_ half of Minis- 

ent sections of the country, terial Education , 
which may be regarded as in a.d. 1739-1792. 
some sense the origin of our present system 
of operation. 

In 1789 the Philadelphia Association, 
which at that time included f fly-six churches, 
located chiefly in the States of Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, and New York, adopted the fol- 
lowing resolution : — " After conferring upon 



30 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

the necessity and importance of raising a 
fund for the education of pious and promising 
youDg men for the ministry, we, the members 
present, do engage to promote subscriptions 
in our respective churches and congregations, 
for said purpose." 

During the same year at the meeting of 
the Charleston Association, S. C, after a ser- 
mon by Rev. Richard Furman from Eph. iv, 

Action of the U ~ 13 > " a proposition was 
Charleston Asso- brought forward to recommend 
a mode for raising funds by the 
several churches in order to assist pious young 
men in their studies for the ministry," — 
" which met with the unanimous approbation 
of the association." The "mode" of opera- 
tion recommended and unanimously agreed to 
at the next meeting of the association, was, 
" That once a year a charity sermon be 
preached in each church, at which time collec- 
tions be made from the congregation at large, 
to be brought into a common fund, for the 
express purpose of assisting pious young men 
designed for the ministry, and destitute of 
other assistance, in obtaining education; to- 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 31 

gether with such other religious and public 
uses as may be approved by the churches, 
should it finally prove sufficient." This fund 
in 1792 was committed to a "general Com- 
mittee " of brethren with instruction that 
they should apply to the General Assembly 
for an act of incorporation. At the same 
meeting it was " agreed to assist Rev. Jesse 
Mercer in pursuing a course of study by fur- 
nishing him with ten pounds for the year." 
In the list of those who were aided by this 
fund in acquiring education, I notice the 
name of William T. Brantly, a name which 
will readily suggest the relation of education 
to efficiency in the ministry. 

Simultaneously with these efforts in the 
Middle and Southern States, a movement 
contemplating the same object, was started in 
New England. In May 1791, about two 
months before his death, President Manning 
in a letter addressed to a friend in England, 
wrote thus: "It is and has w .. 

Testimony of 

long been my opinion, that President Mam^ 
money for the benefit of the mg ' 
American Baptist churches, could in no way 



9f 



32 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

be so well laid out as in educating young 
men for the ministry, nearly on the plan of 
the Baptist Academy at Bristol." In Sep- 
tember of the same year, at the meeting of 
the Warren Association, which at that time 
included a large portion of the most efficient 
Action of the Baptist churches in Bhode Is- 
Warren Associa- land and Eastern Massachu- 
setts, a plan for the promotion 
of this object was introduced by Dr. Still- 
man of Boston, and " after a second reading 
was unanimously adopted." A Board of 
Trustees, consisting of Samuel Stillman, Jona- 
than Maxcy, Isaac Backus, Joseph Grafton, 
(names honored in the history of Baptists,) 
and seven other brethren, was subsequently 
created, to which the management of the 
fund collected for this purpose, was intrusted. 
Among those who were aided from this fund 
in obtaining education, were Joshua Bradley, 
Jeremiah Chaplin, and Nathaniel KendrieJc, — 
whose wide-spread usefulness, extending 
through half a century, has already sufficed 
to repay to the churches a thousand-fold the 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 33 

amount of the contributions made to the 
fund from which they were aided. 

This decisive expression in three of the 
oldest associations in the country, largely re- 
presenting the strength of the denomination 
in the Middle, the Southern, and the New 
England States, unanimously approving the 
object, and recommending it to the attention 
and liberality of the churches, may serve to 
indicate with sufficient distinctness the views 
which were at that time entertained of its 
" necessity and importance." 

These efforts resulted ultimately in the 
formation of Education Societies in different 
sections of the country, and in the establish- 
ment of temporary schools for 0rganization of 

the Study of theology at Dan- Education Socie- 

vers, Mass., and at Philadel- ties * 
phia, at which were educated a goodly num- 
ber who will ever be reckoned among the 
brightest ornaments of the Baptist ministry. 
As early as 1812 an "Address/' signed by 
Win. Rogers, Henry Holcombe, Wm. Staugh- 
ton, and others, was sent out " in behalf of an 
establishment contemplated to be formed for 



34 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

the assisting of young men called to the 
Christian ministry, in their education/' ac- 
companied with the Constitution of "the 
Baptist Education Society of the Middle 
States/' whose object was to assist those in 
whose behalf it had been formed, " in obtain- 
ing such literary and theological aid as should 
enable them, with greater ease to themselves, 
and usefulness to the churches, to fulfill the 
duties of the Christian ministry." In close 
and obvious connection with the influence ex- 
erted by this and other similar societies, — 
prominent among which are the Massachu- 
setts, now Northern Baptist Education Soci- 
ety, formed in 1814, and the New York Bap- 
tist Education Society, organized in 1817, — 
was the establishment of incorporated institu- 
T .. , tions of learning at Washington 

Literary and ° o 

Theological in- and Waterville, at Hamilton and 
6 tuutions. Newton, and at other points 

both in the south and west, designed to fur- 
nish facilities in different degrees for the edu- 
cation of the ministry. 

This brings us to the period of the origin 
of the movement in the Western States which 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 35 

has resulted in the establishment of this 
Seminary. The first meeting of the " West- 
ern Baptist Convention " was held at Cincin- 
nati, Nov. 6 — 11, 1833. At this meeting, 
at which were present as mem- The Western 
bers more than one hundred Baptist Conven- 
brethren from different States 
of the Union, the cause of ministerial educa- 
tion " received prominent attention." In 
addition to other acts designed to promote 
the object, the following resolutions, intro- 
duced by Rev. J. M. Peck, were adopted : 

"Resolved, That the establishment of a 
Theological Institution in some central portion 
of the Mississippi valley, where preachers al- 
ready in the ministry, and brethren who may 
hereafter give evidence of a call from God, and 
be approved by the churches for the ministry, 
can receive such an education in the Holy Scrip- 
tures and in other branches of knowledge, as 
is necessary to qualify them in a more emi- 
nent degree for the great work of ministerial 
labor, is an object of vast importance to the 
interests of the Baptist denomination in the 
Western States. 



36 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

" Resolved, That a committee of five per- 
sons be appointed to open a correspondence 
on the subject, ascertain the views of brethren, 
look out for a site for location, receive propo- 
sals for funds or donations, and report to the 
next Convention." 

At the next meeting of the Convention, 
held November 5 — 10, 1834, the report of 
the Committee was presented ; and the sub- 
Proposed Theo- j ec t was referred to a select 
logical inatitu- Committee of nineteen brethren 

tion, and "West- 

em Baptist Edu- from ten different States, who 
cation society. reporte(1 "in favor of a central 

Theological Institution, and likewise recom- 
mended the formation of a Western Baptist 
Education Society." The opinion of the Con- 
vention was expressed in the adoption of the 
following resolutions : 

"Resolved, That in the opinion of this 
Convention, the wants of the valley of the 
Mississippi require that we should have an 
institution intended solely for the education 
of those whom the churches shall approve as 
called of God to preach the gospel. 

" 2. Resolved, That in the opinion of this 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 37 

Convention, it is expedient that a Western 
Baptist Education Society be now formed." 

The Society having been formed, the loca- 
tion of the proposed Institution was, during 
the same year, and in accordance with the 
general voice of the Convention, fixed at Cin- 
cinnati or vicinity. An earnest but unsuc- 
cessful attempt was at first made to unite the 
Northwest and the Southwest in support of 
the same Institution, located at Covington, 
Ky. The Board of the Institute, as origin- 
ally approved and organized by the Education 
Society, having been unexpectedly deprived 
of all control in the management either of 
the school, or of the property which had been 
accumulated for its support, the Society in 
1849, with the view of carrying one the origi- 
nal design for the North-Western States, took 
measures for the establishment of the Fair- 
mount Theological Seminary, whose first an- 
niversary w r e are now convened to celebrate. 
This was in accordance with the „, iL ,. 

Tho .bairmount 

"united action " of a " General Theological sem- 
Convention,' 5 composed of " del- inaiy ' 
egates from Baptist churches, State Conven- 



DO MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

tions, Associations, and Societies, and of indi- 
viduals" in the Northwest, held at Cincinnati, 
October 31st, and November 1st and 2d, of 
the same year. 1 

We have thus traced the history of efforts 
and influences favorable to the cause of minis- 
terial education in the Baptist denomination, 
such as have resulted in the establishment of 
this Seminary for the benefit of the North- 
western States, through a period of nearly 
two centuries. We have seen that the views 
expressed by the founders of this Institution, 
as to the importance of special efforts to pro- 
mote the education of the ministry, are not 
new in the history of the denomination. The 
efforts which have been put forth in behalf of 
this enterprise, are in perfect accordance with 
the views and wishes extensively cherished 
and frequently expressed by the fathers of 
the denomination in former times, but which 
embarrassments and difficulties of various 
kinds prevented in many instances from be- 
ing carried into execution. Let us not forget 
that, with our increased facilities for promote 

1 See Note A. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 39 

mg the object, our responsibility with regard 
to it is proportionably increased. 

II. This view of the relation of the Insti- 
tution to the past, or to the influences which 
have operated in bringing it into existence, 
will prepare us to appreciate more fully the 
nature and importance of its relations to 

THE FUTURE, OR TO THE OBJECTS PROPOSED TO 
BE ACCOMPLISHED. 

Were I to select a motto, which, above all 
others, I would be willing to inscribe on the 
front tablet of our enterprise, to be known and 
read of all men, as indicative alike of the object 
which we have in view, and of the agency 
through which we hope to accomplish it, — one 
the sentiment and spirit of which should ever 
be present to its patrons, pervading their 
hearts, and controlling their actions, it would 
be the prayer of the Psalmist, — " God be 
merciful to us, and bless us, and cause his face 
to shine upon us, that thy way may be known 
upon earth, thy saving health among all 
nations." ' While we cherish an habitual feel- 

! Ps. lxvii, 1, 2. 



40 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

ing of dependence on the " mercy of God'' 
for the privilege of laboring in his kingdom, 
1 Chron. xxix, 10 — 16, and for his " bless- 
ing " to attend our exertions, — without which 
our best concerted plans, our most assiduous 
and self-denying efforts, will be unsuccessful, — 
may we not fail to keep distinctly before our 
minds the nature and magnitude of the ob- 
ject to be accomplished. That object is, that 
the way of God, the w r ay in which he has 
manifested himself to the world in the Scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testaments, espe- 
cially his way for redeeming lost men, " may 
be known upon earth," and, as the result, "his 
saving health among all nations." For the 
promotion of this object he has appointed the 
Christian ministry. He has commissioned 
them to go into all the world, and preach the 

gospel to every creature, to go 
minify. ° * an( ^ teach or disciple all nations. 1 

They, above all other means, are 
his chosen instrumentality for the evangeliz- 
ation of the world. Whatever other agency 
may be brought into requisition in the provi- 

1 Matt, xxviii, 19 ; Mark xvi, 15. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 41 

dence of God to diffuse a knowledge of the 
truth among " the nations/' few comparatively 
will ever "hear" of Him on whom they must 
" believe," in o^der that they may be " saved/' 
"without a preacher." Men must go forth 
whose business it shall be to " do the work of 
an evangelist/' to give themselves ivholly to 
it. Others must be employed to "labor in 
word and doctrine/' and the various duties of 
the ministry, as " pastors " of churches. They 
must be "instant in season, out of season," 
guarding every avenue of evil influence, touch- 
ing, as occasion requires, every spring of ac- 
tion, and improving, by the pulpit, the press, 
the private interview, or by whatever means 
arc available, every opportunity to bring the 
whole moral power of the church to bear on 
the conversion of the world to God. Effec- 
tiveness in every department of labor con- 
nected with the interests of Zion, depends on 
the presence and agency of an efficient min- 
istry. 

Hence it becomes, in view of the mngni- 
tude and importance of the results to be 

1 Rom. x, 13, 14. 



42 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

effected, a question which should awaken in our 
minds the most lively interest, How shall 
the ministry be rendered in the highest de- 
gree efficient ? The first requisite, of course, 

An efficient min- is P ie %* And in every system 
istry needed, im- of ministerial culture, it should 

portance of piety. be fl primary ob j ect to promote 

its cultivation. He who enters the sacred 
office should have become habituated to the 
exercise of a piety as expansive and ener- 
getic, as it is deep and fervent, a piety per- 
vading the whole intellectual and moral na- 
ture, and summoning the w T hole man to the 
work of the Lord. And it is the natural 
tendency of truth studied, as it always ought 
to be by the theological student, with a pro- 
per regard for its relations, and the uses to be 
made of it in the work of the ministry, to 
produce this effect. 

But it will hardly be denied that, in addi- 

importanee of tion to P iet y> the minister of the 
intellectual cui- gospel needs the advantage of a 
well-stored and cultivated intel- 
lect. He must come to his work with a mind 
trained and educated to meet its peculiar du- 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 43 

ties and responsibilities. That this is an essen- 
tial part of the divine plan in providing for 
the world an efficient ministry, is abundantly 
evident from the representation of the New 
Testament. 

Prominent among the passages which have 
an obvious relation to this subject, we place 
the memorable declaration and direction ut- 
tered by our Lord in connection with his first 
appointment of the Christian ministry: — 
" The harvest truly is plenteous, but the 
laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord 
of the harvest, that he would send forth labor- 
ers into his harvest." 1 It will 

t -i i .. . i r> .1 Direction to pray 

be observed it is not for the forLABOEE J. 
sending forth of men as such, 
that we are to pray. This will not meet the 
necessities of the case. What is needed is 
laborers,- — men who can perform the labor 
required, — men who can do the work which 
needs to be done. One who should enter the 
field of the husbandman, not to thrust in the 
sickle with care and skill, so as to preserve 
and gather in the ripened harvest, but only 
1 Mat. ix 37, 38. 



44 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

to exercise his muscles in irregular and violent 
blows upon the standing grain, leaving it, per- 
haps, in an entangled and disordered state, to 
be reaped by others, and in the process need- 
lessly scattering much of the precious seed 
into the earth to be irrecoverably lost, would 
not be considered a "laborer" in that field. 
There might be no lack of earnest and vigor- 
ous exertions ; but by being misapplied, they 
would not answer to the "labor" to be per- 
formed. It is precisely so in the field that 
is to be entered by the minister of the gos- 
pel. The demand is for men who are pre- 
pared to put forth well directed and effective, 
as w r ell as vigorous exertions. Activity, zeal, 
earnestness, diligence, self-denial, are not the 
only requisites in one who enters the gospel 
ministry. There is a labor to be performed, 
a work to be accomplished — a work which 
besides being intrinsically responsible and 
difficult, is usually rendered more so by some 
peculiarity in the circumstances under which 
it must be performed. As far as the minister 
of Christ, through negligence or want of ap- 
plication, finds himself unprepared to meet 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 45 

this responsibility, or to adapt himself to 
these peculiarities of circumstances, he so far, 
whatever may be his activity, fails to perform 
the labor required at his hands. 

This direction of our Lord has additional 
significancy as viewed in connection with his 
example, or the course pursued by him in the 
institution of the gospel ministry. From the 
company of his disciples, "he The Apostles set 
ordained twelve," 1 whom he apart to the work 
called apostles. It is interest- ° P ie ^ aratl0n - 
ing to observe the particular purpose for 
which they were at this time ordained. Was 
it that they might at once go forth and 
preach the gospel ? This, it is true, is speci- 
fied as the work to which their lives were 
ultimately to be devoted, — " that he might," 
i. e., whenever he should think proper, " send 
them forth to preach." It is equally true 
that he sent them forth for a brief period on 
a special mission, during his own public min- 
istry. 2 On this occasion, however, not only 
were their instructions specific as to the na- 
ture of their message, but their commission 

1 Mark iii, 14. 2 Mark vi, 7. 



46 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

was limited as to the field of their operation. 
They were not to " go into the way of the 
Gentiles, nor into any city of the Samari- 
tans ;" and as they went, they were to "preach, 
saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." ' 
Their mission was designed to answer a spe- 
cial purpose, and was of short continuance. 
It occupied, in the opinion of the best har- 
monists of the Gospels, less than two months. 
So slight was the interruption to their usual 
mode of life, that it is not taken into account 
by the apostle Peter in his allusion to the 
life of the apostles during this period, on the 
occasion of his proposing that one should be 
appointed in the place of Judas, to be a wit- 
ness of the resurrection of Christ. Of the 
men from whom the selection was to be made, 
he thus speaks, — " men who have companied 
with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went 
in and out among us, beginning from the bap- 
tism of John, unto the same day in which he 
was taken up from us." 2 This constant attend- 
ance of the apostles upon the ministry of 
Christ during a period of several years, pre- 
1 Mat. x, 5—7. 2 Acts i, 21, 22. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 47 

viously to receiving their final commission, is, 
when viewed simply as an historical fact, re- 
plete with instruction to the church in all 
ages. But you will observe, it is stated, that 
it was for this express purpose that they 
were thus early set apart to the apostleship. 
" He ordained twelve, that they might be with 
him." This was the first and immediate 
object of their appointment, — that they might 
be with him to listen to his teaching, to wit- 
ness his miracles, to imbibe his spirit, to have 
their habits of thought and feeling formed for 
his service, and their whole character and 
minds trained and educated for the important 
and responsible work which they were to be 
" sent forth " to perform. And, as if to make 
their education in the highest degree avail- 
able for the purposes for which it was designed, 
he promised to send them, on the completion 
of their term of pupilage, the Holy Spirit, to 
" bring all things to their remembrance, what- 
soever he had said unto them." 2 

The inference to be drawn from these facts 
is obvious. If a previous course of training 

1 Mark iii, 14. 2 John xiv, 26. 



48 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

was requisite in the case of the apostles of our 
Lord, who, in addition to this advantage, were 
to be endowed with special and miraculous 
gifts, is it not, so far as it can be secured by 
such means as arc available, equally necessary, 
to say the least, in the case of those who en- 
ter the ministry at the present day ? Had 
he designed that his ministers in proclaiming 
the message of the gospel, should rely chiefly 
on the aid of immediate and present impulses, 
would he have thus provided that even his 
apostles should enjoy the advantage of a "re- 
membrance " of the things in which they had 
been previously instructed ? 

Is there nothing in these facts suggestive 
of the duty of the churches in their relation 
to the ministry ? Is evidence that God has 
called an individual to preach the gospel, a suf- 
ficient reason for investing him at once with 
all the duties and responsibilities of the sa- 
cred office ? Would it not accord much more 
nearly with the primitive pattern, as given by 
our Lord in the ordination of his apostles, were 
they to set him apart, if necessary, first of all, 
to the work of preparation ? or were he vol- 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 49 

untarily to place himself in circumstances 
where he might acquire the requisite knowl- 
edge and culture ? 

From the precepts and example of our 
Lord ; we turn to the teaching of his apostles 
on this subject. And, first, we learn that an 
essential qualification in one who Q UaMcationsfor 
enters the sacred office, is " an the work of the 
aptness to teach" l a requisition mimstry * 
which, so far from being met in mere fluency 
of speech, or readiness to express one's 
thoughts, — thoughts which may possibly be 
of very little practical value, — has specific 
reference to ability or adaptation to act the 
part of a teacher or instructor in the truths 
of God's word. Again, we are taught, that it 
is incumbent on the minister of Christ to 
" study to show himself approved unto God, 
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing the word of truth ;" 2 and that 
the things which have respect to the work of 
the ministry, are to be committed to " faithful 
men who shall be able to teach others also." * 
It is true, in none of these passages is the 

1 1 Tim. iii, 2. 2 2 Tim. ii, 15. 3 2 Tim. if, 2. 
4 



50 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

amount of knowledge and cultivation requisite 
in the minister of the gospel, particularly in- 
dicated : nor is it necessary for the purpose 
for which they are here referred to, that it 
should be. It is sufficient that we know what 
kind of mental qualification is necessary to 
the successful prosecution of the minister's 
work. The extent to which it must be pos- 
sessed, must be commensurate with his duty 
and responsibility in the situation which he 
occupies. He is to study or strive to possess 
himself of it in such degree, that, in what- 
ever position he may be placed in the provi- 
dence of God, he may be " a workman that 
needeth not to be ashamed." 

There is a passage, however, in the apos- 
tolic writings, relating to the importance of a 
scriptural education for a minister of the gos- 
pel, which indicates with sufficient distinctness 

AMiit to make *^e ex ^ en t to which it may be 
use of "all " profitable " for him, to say the 

Scripture." j^ t() progecute hig e ff orts to 

attain it. The apostle, writing to one who had 
" learned " from him the things pertaining to 
the work of the ministry, says : " All Scrip- 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 51 

ture l is given by inspiration of God, and is 
profitable for doctrine [or teaching], 2 for re- 
proof, [including confutation of error by argu- 
ment], 3 for correction, for instruction [or edu- 
cation] 4 in righteousness. 55 Such being the 
ends to which the Scriptures may be made ef- 
fective, on whom devolves the responsibility of 
seeing that they are applied to these purposes ? 
Who is to engage in this work of " teaching " 
men the gospel, this " confutation " of their 
errors, this " correction " of their faults ? By 
whom are they to be " educated in righteous- 
ness," under the influence of religious truth? 
This, we are taught, is the appropriate and 
special work of the Christian minister : and 
the Scriptures, the apostle tells us, are " pro- 
fitable " in the respects indicated, to the very 
end of qualifying him for its successful per- 
formance; — "that the man of God may be 
perfect [or complete], thoroughly furnished 
unto all good works " 5 required at his hands, 

1 2 Tim. iii, 16. 2 Compare Rom. xii, 7. 

3 Comp. Job xxiii, 4 ; xxxii, 12 ; Tit. i, 9 ; John xvi, 8. 
4 rrcuSuct, Comp. Eph. vi, 4, where the term is rendered 
nurture. 6 Comp. 1 Tim. vi, 11 ; 1 Sam. ix, 6-14. 



DZ MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

or, as an eminent commentator has para- 
phrased it, " for every good purpose which his 
ministry is intended to answer." For the 
purpose of this " thorough furnishing/' no part 
of the Scripture is to be regarded as useless 
or unimportant. There is not a book in the 
sacred volume, a particular knowledge of which 
w T ould not, in various respects, be profitable to 
the Christian preacher in the fulfillment of 
his ministry. There is not a department of 
writing, worthy of being "given by inspira- 
tion of God," whether of narrative, of argu- 
ment, of poetry, of symbol, with which he 
should not seek to be acquainted. A " com- 
plete " equipment for his work, involves an 
ability on his part to make use for the pur- 
poses of the ministry, of "all Scripture." 
What, then, in the light of this testimony, is 
the part of those on whose minds has been 
impressed the duty of preaching the gospel, 
while yet they may be unable, perhaps, to 
give so much as a satisfactory exposition of a 
single chapter in either portion of the sacred 
volume ? Shall they, while neglecting the 
means within their reach for acquiring the 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 53 

requisite knowledge, seek to become at once 
invested with all the prerogatives of the Chris- 
tian ministry ? Does not this allusion of the 
apostle to what is u profitable " in a " thorough 
furnishing" for the work, clearly point in a 
different direction ? To what extent a preacher 
may innocently come short of this thorough 
preparation, especially when it is within his 
power to supply the deficiency, and, as the 
consequence, habitually omit in his ministra- 
tions much that might be "profitable" to his 
hearers, is a question which may be left to 
the decision of those severally to whom it 
relates. 

But the teaching of the New Testament 
with regard to the importance of this special 
preparation, will, if possible, appear in a still 
stronger light, upon a more par- Natoc of the 
ticular view of what is taught work to bo per- 
us respecting the nature of the formed 
work to be performed. What is the minister 
of Christ required to do, in order that he 
may " make full proof of his ministry ?" I 
refer not now specifically to the general duties 
pertaining to an " oversight " of the flock 



54 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

of God and the interests of Zion ; l although 
these are of a nature to require that he who 
fills " the office of a bishop," should be, a not 
a novice/' 2 but a man of experience and abil- 
ity. I refer more especially to what pertains 
to his ability to influence the minds of men 
by a presentation of the truth. 

As a preacher it is his duty to " preach the 

gOSpel/' to " PREACH THE WORD." 3 

toward/ mg ° ^ * s f° r ^ S P ur P ose that he 
is " intrusted with the gospel." 4 
It is incumbent on him to proclaim it, not by 
piecemeal or in isolated parts merely, but in 
all its fullness and richness of doctrine, of pre- 
cept, of promise, of example, — in its various 
relations to God and his government, — in its 
applicability to man, with regard to his duty, 
his wants, his present and eternal interests. 
It is a "gospel" which has important rela- 
tions to the Old Testament, as well as to the 
New, — which was u preached to Abraham," 
shadowed forth in the Mosaic law, sung in the 
Psalms of David, and " prophesied of" and 

1 1 Pet. v, 2 ; Heb. xiii, 17. 2 1 Tim. iii, 6. 

3 1 Cor. ix, U ; 2 Tim. iv, 2. 4 1 Thess. ii, 4. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 55 

symbolized by the succession of prophets, 
with whom " the testimony of Jesus was the 
spirit of prophecy." It is a gospel that is 
identified with all the narratives of our Lord 
and the writings of his apostles, — which finds 
the evidence of its truth and divine authority 
in the record of miracles, in the fulfillment of 
a series of prophecies extending through many 
centuries and presented in a great diversity 
of forms, l as well as in its general harmony 
with the established facts of history and 
science. 2 It is a "word" which is insepa- 
rable from the inspired history of God's deal- 
ings with men in every age, and every dispen- 
sation ; — whose sanctions, precepts, motives, 
illustrations of duty, of privilege, of danger, 
are to be drawn from every part of the in- 
spired volume ; a for whatsoever things were 
written aforetime, were written for our learn- 
ing, that we through patience, and comfort of 
the Scriptures, might have hope " under the 
gospel. 3 Such is the nature and extent of the 
Christian preacher's message. Will a few 

1 Luke xxiv, 27. 2 Ps. xxxiii, 4. 

3 Rom. xv, 4 ; 1 Cor. xi, 1 — 11. 



56 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

irregular and superficial readings of that won- 
drous volume in which it is contained, suffice 
to give him an adequate knowledge of it ? 
Will ability " rightly to divide/' or skillfully 
to dispense this "word," so extensive and 
various in its exhibitions of "truth," be 
likely to be acquired without close and sys- 
tematic and protracted study? 

But in another view of the office of the 

ministry, it is appointed for " the edifying of 

the body of Christ," " the per- 

The perfecting of FECTINQ QF THE g^g." 1 J^OT 

the saints. 

this purpose he who sustains to 
the flock of God the relation of pastor, must, 
in order that he may be a " pastor after the 
heart of Jehovah," be able to "feed them 
with knowledge and understanding." 2 He 
must so dispense the word of truth that it 
shall meet their various wants, their numerous 
hindrances to "perfection," their cases of 
conscience, their peculiarities of mental con- 
stitution, of temper, of habit, of external cir- 
cumstances. While he defends them, on the 
one hand, against the attacks of the " griev- 

1 Eph. iv, 12. 7 Jer. iii, 15. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 57 

cms wolves" that are liable at any time to 
" enter in among them, not sparing the 
flock/' l he must, on the other, strive to bring 
them "in the unity of the faith and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect 
man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fullness of Christ." He must be prepared to 
" warn every man, and teach every man in all 
wisdom" that he may, if possible, " present 
every man perfect in Christ Jesus." 3 

Again, according to Tit. i, 9, while he is to 
be " able to exhort " by the use of " sound doc- 
trine,"— not to harangue the people merely, 
but in the use of appropriate Confutation of 
arguments and considerations to !! rror ' ** d n de ~ 

*=> fence of the Gos- 

press home the truth with ener- pel. 
gy and effect upon their minds and hearts, 4 — 
he must also, as a necessary qualification to 
his entering " the office of a bishop," " be able 
to convince the gainsayers," or more properly 
to " confute " them in their opposition to the 
truth. He must be able, within the sphere of 
his labors, to meet error in the various forms 

1 Acts xx, 29. ' Eph. iv, 11—13. 3 Col. i, 28. 
4 Comp. Acts iv, 36 ; xi, 23 ; xv, 32 ; xx, 2. 



58 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

which it assumes, to show its falsity, to expose 
the insufficiency or falacy of the arguments by 
which it is defended, and by a proper exhibi- 
tion of the opposite truth, seek to apply 
the appropriate antidote to its baleful influ- 
ence. In a word, he is, like the apostle to 
the Gentiles, " set for the defence of the gos- 
pel." 1 He must be prepared, in connection 
with a distinct and effective announcement of 
its truths, to vindicate, as occasion requires, its 
claims, to defend it against the numerous and 
insidious attacks made upon it, urged at every 
point, and presented in every available form. 
A very important part of the work now re- 
quired of the ministry, is the exposition and 
defence of a pure Christianity, — a Christian- 
ity historical, spiritual, scriptural, — in which 
the authority of the sacred Scriptures is pro- 
perly regarded, and the vicarious work of 
Christ, and the life-giving influence of the 
Holy Spirit, are allowed to occupy each its 
proper place in the scheme of human redemp- 
tion. Our danger at the present day arises 
not less from enemies who prefer a claim to 

1 Phil, i, 17. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 59 

the Christian name, than from the advocates 
of an open infidelity. Attacks coming from 
the one source, as well as from the other, 
must be met by the force of truth brought 
into contact with the public mind through the 
agency of an earnest and able ministry. How 
important, then, that he who enters the min- 
istry, should be, if possible, " thoroughly fur- 
nished" for his work; that he should be fami- 
liar with the facts by which in each case these 
attacks may be repelled ; and that he know 
how to use them with propriety and effect. 
How important that he understand the true 
art of reasoning, 1 of awakening conviction^ of 
persuasion f that he be able to present truth 
in its most effective form, " commending him- 
self," by his clearness of statement, his lucid- 
ness of proof, his directness of appeal, his 
earnestness, his whole demeanor and spirit, 
" to every man's conscience in the sight of 
God." 4 

Such are the facts on the ground of which 
we maintain the exceeding desirableness of a 

1 Acts xxiv, 25. 2 Tit. i, 9. 
3 2 Cor. v, 11. 4 2 Cor. iv, 2. 



60 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

theological education for the minister of the 
gospel. And by a theological education, while 
we refer more particularly to the branches of 
knowledge and culture which have specific 
reference to the work of the ministry, we 
mean in general whatever is necessary to pre- 
pare him to exhibit the truth with propriety 
and effectiveness, and to constitute him, in the 
position which he is called to fill, an " able 
minister of the New Testament." He who 
can honestly maintain that the Christian min- 
ister, especially at the present day, does not 
need the kind of education which has been 
indicated ; or that he is justified in neglecting 
the means within his reach for acquiring it, 
must have exceedingly meager and inadequate 
views of the nature of the work to be per- 
formed, as well as of the power and insidious- 
ness of the influences to be resisted. Far 
better might the lawyer or the physician en- 
ter the public service without an education in 
what a theoiog- the branches of his profession. 
icai education in- The Bible is the great text book 
of the Christian preacher. How 
important that he know how to interpret it 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 61 

aright, — that he understand correctly its teach- 
ings, its language, its facts, its methods of 
presenting truth, the structure anfl relations 
of its parts, and the art of bringing out and 
exhibiting its meaning. The doctrines of 
theology constitute the system of truth which 
he is to teach. How important that he have 
a distinct apprehension of their nature, of the 
proof, scriptural and general, by which they are 
established, of their applicability to the case of 
men, of their relation to each other as parts 
of a general system, as well as to the facts 
and principles of natural and mental science. 
This system of truth, since its first promulga- 
tion in its fullness by Christ and his apostles, 
has had a history. It has encountered opposi- 
tion in the form of errors, corruptions, abuses, 
civil and ecclesiastical proscriptions ; while it 
has itself been an ever present leaven in the 
corrupt mass of humanity, gradually preparing 
the way for the introduction of the latter day 
of glory. How desirable that the gospel min- 
ister should understand this history, at least 
so far as to enable him to meet to the best 
advantage similar errors, corruptions and 



62 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

abuses, which he is liable to meet at every 
point in the fulfillment of his ministry, and 
to derive from it instructive lessons for the 
warning or encouragement of those over whom 
he is " set as a watchman." Again, this truth 
must, by the Christian pastor, be brought into 
contact with the minds of men at a great vari- 
ety of points, in connection with the duties of 
the pastorate. It must, above all, be pro- 
claimed with clearness and effect from the 
pulpit. How necessary, therefore, that, while 
he understand distinctly what is required of 
him in the general pastoral relation, he be 
acquainted with the specific work of preach- 
ing, — that he be able, as a scribe instructed 
unto the kingdom of heaven, to " bring out 
of his treasure things new and old ;" that he 
know how to present truth in respect to an- 
alysis, arrangement, description, proof, discus- 
sion, illustration, appeal, in such a manner as 
to secure the attention of his hearers, and 
make the most favorable impression on their 
minds. 1 

Such, in brief, is the kind of preparation 

1 See Notes C and D. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 63 

which we regard as needed by the minister of 
the gospel, and which it is the object of a 
theological education to supply. Is there a 
department of study embraced in this repre- 
sentation, that is superfluous to the end pro- 
posed? Ought anything short of an edu- 
cation in these several branches of knowledge, 
to be sought by him who would prove himself 
u a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing the word of truth ?" 1 The 
extent to which this education „ , ., 

By whom a theo- 

shall in each case be pursued, logical education 
must, of course, depend very ^ ldbeso ^- 
much on the age, the relations, or the circum- 
stances of him who is called to the work of 
the ministry. We would guard against any 
representation which might tend to discourage 
those whose opportunities for preparation are 
limited, from availing themselves of the prof- 
fered means for acquiring the requisite know- 
ledge, to the extent of their ability. Our 
systems of theological education should pre- 
sent facilities for " education in the Holy 
Scriptures and in other branches of know- 
See Note E. 



64 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

ledge/' to all who are desirous of " qualifying 
themselves in a more eminent degree for the 
great work of ministerial labor/ 5 whether they 
be those " already in the ministry/' or those 
who " give evidence of a call from God, and 
are approved for the ministry." l They should 
aim at the highest practicable improvement 
of the ministry as such. They ought not by 
any unnecessary restrictions, either in their 
plan, or their practical working, to leave the 
inference to be drawn, that there are many 
in the ministry to whom their advantages are 
impossible. Nor, on the other hand, ought 
these advantages to be to any who may be 
benefited thereby, a matter of indifference. 
The great demand of the present day, as it 
respects the ministry, is for educated men 
imbued with the spirit of the Master, men 
fully instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, 
and consecrated to the work of resisting the 
powers of evil, and " persuading " men to be 
"reconciled to God." 2 

And for whom is such a ministry to be 
sought? In order that we may properly 

1 See Xote F. a 2 Cor. v, 11, 20. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 65 

appreciate the importance of the enterprise in 
which we are engaged, we should be careful 
that we do not misapprehend or overlook the 
magnitude and importance of the object to be 
accomplished. It is^ an enter- The missionary 
prise which, while it conteni- character of the 
plates a supply for the churches enter ^ nse - 
at home of able and efficient pastors, is also, 
in another aspect of it, essentially missionary 
in its character. Its specific object is to aid 
in securing an efficient ministry for the world ; 
to qualify " laborers " to go forth into the 
great harvest field without distinction of peo- 
ple or country. Indeed, it should be the 
aim, that, not a select few merely, but that 
all who enjoy its advantages of education may 
be missionaries in the best and truest sense 
of that term ; that imbued with the spirit of 
the Master and his apostles, they may, re- 
gardless of ease or worldly emolument, be 
prepared to labor for the great purposes of the 
ministry, in whatever way, and at whatever 
point, the Lord of the harvest shall in his 
providence designate. This should be re- 
garded as an essential part of the preparation 
5 



66 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

which is requisite for the work of the minis- 
try. 1 Hence in all arrangements for mental 
culture which are adopted in connection with 
our systems of ministerial education, regard 
should be had to the influences which legiti- 
mately tend to affect the spirit, or mould the 
religious character of the student. You will 
allow me, in conclusion, to call attention to 
two or three suggestions in illustration of this 
thought. 

One important point in a theological educa- 
Theoiogicai edu- tion is the cultivation by the 

cation in its rcla- . n . P ... , . T .,-, 

tion to the spirit student of a spirit which will 
to be cultivated, prepare him the most fully for 
sympathy and co-operation with his brethren 
in the ministry. Whatever tends legitimately 
to promote among students an exclusiveness 
of spirit or sympathy, or an unhallowed rival- 
ship of interest, — whatever is adapted to 
place brethren in an attitude toward each 
other, which it would be dangerous or unbe- 
coming for them to assume in their relations 
as pastors or missionaries, or to interrupt or 
to check, even in the slightest degree, the warm 

1 See Note G. 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 67 

current of Christian affection and sympathy, 
is entirely apart from the appropriate means 
of ministerial culture. Arrangements for men- 
tal improvement of the tendency here indi- 
cated, by whatever considerations they may 
be recommended, have properly no place in 
a system of education designed for candidates 
for the ministry. Their relations to each 
other in all respects, their habits of inter- 
course, as well as the motives by which they 
are excited to mental exertion, should be in 
perfect harmony with the nature of the work 
to which they have consecrated their lives, 
and such as will tend directly to foster and 
strengthen the spirit which it is desirable 
they should carry with them to its perform- 
ance. The Seminary should be a school 
where may be learned the duties devolving on 
the ministry, not in the pastoral relation and 
the pulpit merely, but in their relation to each 
other, where the spirit of the new command- 
ment of the gospel may be exemplified in all 
its loveliness and applicability to the relations 
of Christians. 

Such an education, it cannot be doubted. 



68 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

would do much toward increasing the power 
of the ministry, by the direct and reflex in- 
fluence of a hearty co-operation in the numer- 
ous and diversified spheres of labor which they 
are called to fill I do not overlook the fact 
that this is a result which pertains rather to 
the general influences which are incidental to 
a system of education, than to any express 
provisional arrangement. And yet much may 
be done directly toward promoting the result, 
by those on whom devolves the responsibility 
of the adoption and regulation of such a sys- 
tem, by guarding it against the operation of 
causes which tend to the opposite result, as 
well as by attaching to the cultivation of this 
spirit, so closely connected with the highest 
efficiency of the ministry, an importance 
corresponding to its nature and influence. 
These suggestions, I am happy to know, are 
in entire harmony with the spirit of the 
resolution relating to the general cultiva- 
tion of piety, which was adopted at the or- 
ganization of the Education Society in 1834: 
" Resolved, That in ministerial education it 
should be a primary object to promote growth 



MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 69 

in grace and knowledge of Christ ; and that 
to do this effectually, prayer and habitual de- 
votion are indispensable." May the sentiment 
of this resolution ever control and character- 
ize the enterprise which the Society has ori- 
ginated. May its managers ever regard the 
result indicated as one to be kept distinctly 
and prominently in view in all their educa- 
tional arrangements. 

Again, every system of theological educa- 
tion should aim at promoting in the student 
a practical sympathy with the Practical sym- 
work to which he has devoted *£'j£jZ 
his life, while he is, at the same istry. 
time, acquiring an aptitude for its performance. 
His great object during his course of study is 
preparation for the future labors of the minis- 
try. Hence it is suitable that he should be 
free from the responsibilities and cares inci- 
dent to the pastoral charge of a church, even 
if he were in other respects prepared for the 
task. He should be able, under the guidance 
of suitable instruction, to devote himself, 
without interruption or distraction, to the ac- 
quisition of the knowledge and culture that 



70 MINISTERIAL CULTURE. 

he needs. And yet, by frequent and system- 
atic efforts to communicate the truth of the 
gospel to the minds of men, he should keep 
his heart in constant and practical sympathy 
with the world, — with its wants, its misery, its 
claims on his benevolence and labors. In a 
word, he should be continually cultivating a 
love for his work, not as it presents itself to 
his view in prospect merely, but as an actual, 
present exercise. 

Such, it is hoped, will be the result of our 
efforts to promote the education of the min- 
istry in connection with this Seminary. Lo- 
cated, as it is, in the immediate vicinity of 
the great metropolis of the west, it is hoped 
its students, in view of the extensive and in- 
teresting field of labor, which is ever open 
before them, will become, even during their 
course of study, worthy examples of a prac- 
tical missionary zeal. 



APPENDIX. 



iNOTE A. 

ORIGIN OF THE FAIRMOUNT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 
THE NORTH-WESTERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. 

At the session of the "North- Western Conven- 
tion " held Oct. 31st, and Nov. 1st and 2d, 1849, 
Ministerial Education " constituted the prominent 
topic of consideration ;" although Committees ap- 
pointed by the Convention on each of the following 
subjects, Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Bible 
cause, Book and Tract circulation, and Periodicals, 
presented reports, which were accompanied with in- 
teresting addresses from returned missionaries and 
others. The Committee on Ministerial Education 
consisted of E. Thresher, S. Bailey, T. R. Cressy, J. 
Stevens, Wm. Brand, J. A. B. St$ne, J. Hall, D. 
Shepardson, S. B. Page, E. G. Robinson, N. N. 
Wood, E. D. Owen, A. H. Dunlevy. 

This committee after consultation reported the fol- 
lowing resolutions, which after having been discussed 
by the brethren composing the Convention, in " Com- 
mittee of the Whole," were recommended to the 

(71) 



72 APPENDIX. 

Convention for adoption. " The question being then 
put, Shall the resolutions pass ? — the Convention 
decided the question affirmativelv by a unanimous 
vote." 

" 1. Resolved, That this Convention cherish a deep 
conviction of the importance cf theological learning ; 
of an increase of intellectual and moral power in our 
ministry ; of an increase of such power as can be 
hoped for only as the result of education. 

" 2. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conven- 
tion there ought to be established, at the earliest 
practicable moment, an institution in Cincinnati or its 
immediate vicinity, whose exclusive object shall be 
the education of approved ministers of the gospel. 

" 3. Resolved, That this Convention earnestly re- 
quest the Western Baptist Education Society to take 
immediate and efficient measures to carry the second 
resolution above expressed into effect. 

" 4. Resolved, That this Convention recommend 
to the Western Baptist Education Society, that the 
thirty acres of land offered by the Fairmount Land 
Company, and already accepted by the Executive 
Committee of the Education Society for an institution 
of learning, be improved as the location of the insti- 
tution recommended in the second resolution re- 
ported by this committee, and adopted by this Con- 
vention. 

" 5. Resolved, That we recommend to the Execu- 
tive Committee of the Education Society to take im- 
mediate measures to raise, by subscription and dona- 



ORIGIN OF THE SEMINARY. 73 

tion, the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars, as a suit- 
able endowment for carrying the proposed Theo- 
logical Institution into successful operation. " 

Another resolution adopted by the Convention 
related to the propriety of an " equitable division of 
the property held by the Western Baptist Theolo- 
gical Institute " at Covington.* 

The meeting of the Convention as a whole was 
one of exceeding interest. The Western Christian 
Journal referring to a visit of the Convention to 
Fairmount on the second day of the meeting, says : — 
" The Convention at 2 o'clock P. M., started in om- 
nibuses to visit the proposed location for the Semi- 
nary on Fairmount. The day was remarkably fine ; 
all were delighted with the ride. When the summit 
was ascended, and the prospect broke upon the view, 
all were charmed. In the southeast lay the city 
sleeping in the valley ; over the river was discovered, 
through the haze, Covington Seminary ; in front, 
the hills north of Cincinnati, with Mill Creek in the 
valley between, the thoroughfare of the Hamilton 

* It ought, perhaps, to be remarked, that this proposition 
was not acceded to by those who at this time held possession 
of the property. The Education Society was accordingly 
shut up to the necessity of prosecuting the plan for endow- 
ment recommended in the fifth resolution reported by the 
committee. The Institute at Covington, however, having 
been subsequently, by order of the Court, restored to the ori- 
ginal body of Trustees, the proposition to divide the property 
equally between the North and South, after the payment of 
the debts, was renewed and accepted. 



74 



APPENDIX. 



Railroad and Pike ; in the rear, a rolling plateau. 
As one looked forward and contemplated the time 
when this entire region would be peopled with a 
teeming population, he could not but be grateful for 
the providence which had directed the Baptists of 
the Northwest to this favored spot. We have rarely 
in our lives enjoyed a more delightful trip. It was a 
day memorable in the history of North-Western Bap- 
tists." 

From the Journal's report of the remarks made by 
brethren approving the object, — among whom were 
Alfred Bennett of N. Y., Nathaniel Colver of Bos- 
ton, and T. R. Cressy, Wm. Brand, S. Bailey, J. 
Hall, E. G. Robinson, E. Thresher, J. Stevens, S. 
B. Page, and other esteemed brethren, from different 
parts of the Northwest, — we insert a few brief ex- 
tracts relating chiefly to the location of the proposed 
Institution. 

"E. Thresher of Dayton — The peculiarity of 
our position compels us to rise and build, or we shall 
suffer. There is no more favorable point west of the 
Alleghanies, than the vicinity of Cincinnati, for an 
Institution/ ' 

"E. G. Robinson — We recently had twelve young 
men in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, desirous of a 
theological training who are now scattered for want 
of a seminary. Very few young men, who go East 
for their, education, will return, unless they are very 
conscientious." 

"Pres. Bailey remarked — Why establish a Theo- 



ORIGIN OP THE SEMINARY. 75 

logical Seminary in Cincinnati or vicinity ? 1. Be- 
cause Cincinnati is the great commercial emporium 
of the West, — distinguished for the resources and the 
number of Baptists — the Miami, the richest valley in 
the world, pours its treasures into its lap. More will 
be done for an institution of learning by those who 
live in its immediate vicinity, than by those remote. " 
" Cincinnati is accessible to Indiana and Illinois as 
well as to Ohio — now only twenty hours distant from 
Franklin College, — soon destined to be only four." 

" T. R. Cressy of Indiana, was astonished at the 
unanimity that prevailed on this subject, even in 
Southern Illinois. Indiana is not so far off from 
Cincinnati as Ohio — there is not five miles difference 
between the distance from Indianapolis, the capital 
of Indiana, and that of Columbus. " 

The editor of the Journal, in concluding his report 
of the meeting, says : " Thus closes a hurried report 
of one of the most memorable meetings that have ever 
transpired in the West. The sentiment and action 
were united, harmonious. A deep spirit of supreme 
dependence on God, seemed to pervade every meet- 
ing, and every heart. There was much prayer. Oc- 
tober 31st, and November 1st and 2d, will be memo- 
rable days in the history of the Baptist denomination 
in the Northwest. Especially will that hour be re- 
membered, when the Convention stood upon the apex 
of Fairmount. He that has a hand or heart in the 
prosecution of this enterprise, may at this time, and 
shall ever hereafter, feel grateful to God for the priv- 



76 APPENDIX, 

ilege. There are epochs in every man's life — in the 
history of every denomination. We can never have 
a proper conception of the results that will flow from 
our most trivial actions. But we cannot be deceived 
with regard to the results that spring from great en- 
terprises. Let one stand on the summit of Fair- 
mount — let him realize that there is beneath him a 
population of 125,000 [now 180,000]— let him recol- 
lect the empires of which Cincinnati will be for ages 
the great commercial emporium — let him consider 
the relative position of the Cincinnati section to 
Ohio, — the West — the East, * * then he can 
have some adequate conception of the magnitude of 
the enterprise in laying the foundations of a great 
central Theological Seminary for the region of the 
Northwest. It is done/' 

It may not, perhaps, be amiss to remark, in this 
connection, that, while the Constitution of the West- 
ern Baptist Education Society as originally adopted 
in 1834, proposed, that "a foundation should early 
be laid for a theological institution of high character 
adapted to the wants of the denomination, and in its 
provisions, fitted to keep pace with its progress," and 
while it empowered the Society "to take measures 
for establishing the Theological Institution contem- 
plated by a resolution of the Convention of Western 
Baptists of Cincinnati, November 10th, 1834, and in 
case of the success of such measures, — to determine 
the location, character and general principles of the 



PROGRESS OF THE SEMINARY- 77 

institution, and also to appoint its first Trustees and 
Instructor or Instructors, and fix the tenure of their 
offices," it, nevertheless, contemplated that the So- 
ciety, as " an association for the promotion of minis- 
terial education," should exist *' in addition" to this 
and all other institutions of learning, and be " distinct 
and separate fr om them all in its action. 1 ' 

NOTE B. 

THE PROGRESS OF THE SEMINARY, AS A GROUND OF 
ENCOURAGEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE. 

The progress of the Institution during the time it 
has been in operation, has been, especially in view 
of the causes of hindrance which have existed, of the 
most gratifying nature, and such as to afford abun- 
dant encouragement and promise with regard to the 
future. Respectable classes have been organized 
with each successive year, and without any interrup- 
tion have been brought regularly through their course 
of study to an honorable graduation. The number 
of graduates, and of those preparing for graduation, 
is believed to be quite as great as could have been 
expected in the case of any institution commencing 
operations with general arrangements and prospects 
( similar to those which attended the opening of this 
school ; and this, notwithstanding there has been, 
during the entire period in which it has been in ope- 
ration, a variety of independent, and to a great ex- 



78 APPENDIX. 

tent, unforeseen causes, which have operated strongly 
against an increase to the number of its students. 

1. The embarrassments attending the pecuniary- 
matters of the Trustees have prevented them from 
carrying into effect the arrangement with which the 
school was opened, for the appointment of additional 
instructors after the first year. As the consequence, 
the whole work of instruction for the theological 
classes has come on a single individual. This fact 
alone, under ordinary circumstances, would have oc- 
casioned an interruption in the course of study, and 
have wholly broken up the classes before their grad- 
uation. And nothing but an amount of application 
and labor in the work of instruction, altogether dis- 
proportionate to the provision made for its perform- 
ance, could have prevented such a result. 

2. The Seminary has lacked the system of agency 
by which the interests of other similar Institutions 
have in the meantime been promoted, designed es- 
pecially to gather in students, by seeking out those 
in circumstances to enable them to pursue a theologi- 
cal course of study, and, by means of correspondence 
or personal interviews, directing their attention to 
the Seminary, and preparing the way for their enter- 
ing it. The agency which, during a portion of the 
time, has been employed by the Education Society, 
has been devoted for the most part to the collection 
of funds, and the promotion of the general purposes 
of that organization. An agency in behalf of the 
Seminary, not only more constant and permanent, 



PROGRESS OF THE SEMINARY. 79 

but of the specific character indicated above, such as 
is enjoyed by other similar Institutions, would, it can- 
not be doubted, have contributed in a very impor- 
tant degree to its prosperity. It has suffered, for the 
lack of it. 

3. Added to this is the fact, that, during the nego- 
tiations incident to a division of the property of the 
Covington Institute, the creation of a new Board, the 
transfer of the property together with the Seminary 
to that body, and the provisions necessary to be made 
for meeting the terms of the compact, by which the 
heavy indebtedness of the Institute was first of all to 
be provided, for, and all this at a time of severe 
pressure in the monetary affairs of the public, — the 
time of the Trustees, during most of the period, has 
been almost entirely occupied at their meetings, with 
matters pertaining to the funds committed to their 
charge. Attention has proportionably been with- 
drawn from arrangements designed to promote the 
immediate and present prosperity of the school, by 
seeking an increase to the number of its students. 

4. During the entire period that the Seminary has 
been in operation, the Baptist Colleges in the North- 
west, nearest its seat, and on which it was contem- 
plated in its origin it would chiefly depend for stu- 
dents, have been in a gradual process of recovery 
from a previous state of depression ; so that during 
a portion of the time they have sent out no graduates 
of any description ; while the majority of the very 
few who have more recently been graduated, have not 



80 APPENDIX. 

had the ministry in view. During the three years that 
the Covington Institute was in operation, previous to 
the resignation of Dr. Pattison and Prof. Robinson, two- 
thirds of the whole number of graduates connected with 
the several classes, were from Granville College. Dur- 
ing the three years and a half since the opening of 
this Seminary, the College, in consequence of the 
suspension of its operations in 1852, has not gradu- 
ated a single student who has had the work of the 
ministry in view ; and, of course, it has supplied 
none to the Seminary. This difference in the circum- 
stances pertaining to the two Institutions, will readily 
be appreciated. Let the number of students from 
Granville College who were connected with the 
Covington Institute from 1845 to 1848, be taken 
from the whole number who were in attendance from 
the North- Western States, and the number would be 
reduced to one half. The Seminary, so far as it natur- 
ally relies on the Colleges for a supply of students, 
cannot, of course, unless they are supplied from this 
source, be held responsible for their theological edu- 
cation. It may be hoped, however, that with the 
increasing numbers in the graduating classes of these 
Institutions, this difficulty will in a measure be re- 
lieved, i. e., provided the Seminary can enjoy the 
co-operation from this source, which was anticipated 
for it when the plan for its organization was agreed 
upon at the North-Western Convention in 1849. 

5. During the season of depression, referred to 
above, to which our western colleges were subjected, — 



PROGRESS OF THE SEMINARY. 81 

one of which, upon the resignation of its officers, and 
the decision to prosecute measures to secure an en- 
dowment, entirely suspended, for a season, its opera- 
tions, — a very considerable number of young men 
preparing for the ministry connected with the several 
classes, as well as others who would otherwise have 
naturally entered, resorted to Eastern institutions to 
prosecute their studies ; and upon completing their 
collegiate course, they have very naturally, and 
almost of necessity, through the force of associations 
formed, and the influence of respected teachers, re- 
mained to pursue their theological education at the 
same place, in connection with their former associates. 
Nothing less than this could have been expected. 
And the example and influence of the brethren thus 
related, can hardly fail to be felt powerfully in turn- 
ing the attention of their acquaintance in the same 
direction, and will doubtless continue to affect, in 
various ways, our educational operations and interests 
in the West, for years to come. 

6. It is stated that the number of young men be- 
longing to our Western churches, who are known to 
have their attention directed to the ministry, is at 
present very considerably less than at some former 
periods. In 1842, the year in which the writer en- 
tered upon his labors as pastor of the church at 
Granville, Ohio, there were connected with the Col- 
lege located at that point, " more than forty young 
men who were understood to have the work of the 
ministry distinctly in view." The diminution has, 
6 



bZ APPENDIX. 

to a great extent, been in proportion to a decrease in 
the means employed to promote in the churches a 
direct and ]irese7it interest in the work of supplying 
for the world an efficient ministry. Especially have 
the closing of the theological school, as originally 
organized, at Covington, and not long after, the sus- 
pension of operations at Granville, contributed to 
this result. The attention of the friends of ministe- 
rial education has thereby been turned more especially 
to the matter of making "pecuniary provision for the 
future, rather than to the work of keeping up and 
fostering in the churches that spirit without which a 
large increase to the number of the ministry cannot 
be expected.* If a suitable agency could at this 
time be put into the field, to visit the churches, and 
urge upon their attention the claims of the object, to 
endeavor to awaken among them a more general 
spirit of prayer for an increase of " laborers/' seek 
out those on whose minds has been impressed a con- 
viction of duty with regard to preaching the gospel, 

* Perhaps the small number of students who were in attend- 
ance at the Western Baptist Theological Institute, from the 
South- Western States, during the eight years in which it was 
under their exclusive control, should be received as additional 
proof of a diminution of interest in the cause of ministerial edu- 
cation, among the churches of the West. The average number 
who were in the regular course of theological study, and that 
during aperiod when the colleges of the Southwest were in 
successful operation, is believed not to have been one fourth 
the number of those who have enjoyed similar advantages in 
connection with this Seminary. 



PROGRESS OF THE SEMINARY. bJ 

and put them, if advisable, in the way of securing 
the requisite preparation, — an agency qualified to 
present the subject in all its magnitude and import- 
ance, in view of the relations of an efficient ministry 
to the highest interests of Zion, — it cannot be doubted 
it would be followed by the happiest results. In the 
opinion of the writer there are few things pertaining 
to the means adapted to promote the end desired, 
which are at the present time more imperatively de- 
manded. 

Other influences might be mentioned, which have 
operated in the same direction. But these which 
have been enumerated, each one of which is strongly 
marked, and of a nature to be easily appreciated, 
will suffice abundantly to justify the remark, with 
which this article was commenced, that the progress 
of the Seminary thus far has been of the most grati- 
fying nature, and such as to afford abundant encour- 
agement and promise with regard to the future. 
These causes of hindrance have been felt most 
keenly in their influence, by those on whom has de- 
volved the responsibility of sustaining the school; 
and nothing but confidence in God could have in- 
spired the courage sufficient to induce the labor which 
has been requisite to attain the result which has been 
reached. Against their combined influence the Semi- 
nary has not only been kept in operation and sustained 
in all its departments, without interruption in its 
course of theological study, or in the organization of 
its classes, but it has from the time it was opened, 



84 APPENDIX. 

been gradually increasing in the number of those 
permanently connected with its theological classes, 
and in the interest felt by its students in the studies 
pursued. The average number who have graduated 
from the regular course of study, since its first class 
completed its course, has been equal to the average 
number in one of the oldest Theological Seminaries 
in the country, during a recent period of five years; 
while the number who during three years have en- 
tered on such a course is greater than the number who 
entered a similar course in the same Institution, dur- 
ing a period of equal extent. Indeed, the whole 
number either holding a connection with the theologi- 
cal classes of the Seminary, or who have during the 
year enjoyed the benefit of theological instruction, is 
not less than the number who were connected with 
the theological classes at Covington in 1847-48. 

These facts are mentioned simply as a ground of 
encouragement and hope with regard to the future. 
With the additional appointments to the faculty of 
instruction, which it is expected will soon be made, 
it is hoped the friends of ministerial education in the 
Northwest will, in view of the success which has at- 
tended the Seminary thus far, find fresh occasion to 
rally around it, and unite their efforts in its support ; 
especially in consideration of the various influences 
which are to be striven against in accomplishing the 
purpose originally had in view. This purpose ought 
to be no less dear to the friends of Zion now, than 
in 1833 and '49. We cannot safely overlook or dis- 



COURSE OF INSTRUCTION. 85 

regard the causes affecting our educational interests 
which have been enumerated. It is important that in 
their operation and influence they be well understood 
and appreciated. And it is for this purpose mainly 
that attention has been called to them in this article. 
Our efforts must hereafter be conducted in view of 
them. They must, by the use of appropriate means, 
be met, and resisted, and, as far as possible, over- 
come. And to this end, it is exceedingly desirable 
that there should be union of earnest and persever- 
ing effort among the friends of the cause, within the 
field of our operation. 

NOTE a 

REGULAR COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN THE SEMINARY 

It was the original design of the Education Society, 
as is expressed in the Reports of the Board for 1852 
and '53, that the regular Course of Instruction should 
embrace " all the branches of theological learning 
usually taught in Theological Seminaries, including 
Biblical Literature and Interpretation, Biblical and 
Pastoral Theology, Homiletics, or the composition 
and delivery of Sermons, and Ecclesiastical His- 
tory" — "designed for graduates of colleges and 
others whose attainments may enable them to prose- 
cute such a course successfully. " It has been in ac- 
cordance with this design that the school has been 
organized. It is true the pecuniary embarrassments 
of the Board have prevented them from appointing 



86 APPENDIX. 

as yet the number of theological instructors originally 
contemplated, a lack which it is expected they will 
at an early period take measures to supply. In the 
meantime, there has been no disposition to circumscribe 
or to change the contemplated course of study. We 
here insert, with a few slight alterations, an extract 
from the last Catalogue of the Seminary, relating to 
the course of study which has thus far been pursued 
by the several classes, and which may serve as a 
proof that the original design of the Board has been 
kept steadily in view, as well as to indicate to what 
extent it has been carried out in the case of those 
who have graduated. The catalogue of studies, it 
will be perceived, is not one indicative merely of the 
general branches within the range of which instruc- 
tion is supposed to be restricted, and from which an 
instructor may make a selection for a given class. It 
is an exhibition of what has actually been accom- 
plished by the student. The range of studies indi- 
cated, it is believed, is as extensive, and the number 
of exercises as great, unless a slight exception should 
be made in the department of Ecclesiastical History,* 
as is usual in the case of any single class in our The- 

*In the course in Ecclesiastical History, as indicated on 
pages 75, 76 and 79, it has been the aim to make the 
student familiar with the guiding facts in the history of 
Christianity, and to illustrate fully the manner of success- 
fully prosecuting investigation with regard to the several 
subjects belonging to this department of study. 



COURSE OF INSTRUCTION. 87 

oiogical Seminaries, during a course of two years. 
As many hours, it is believed, have been spent by 
each class in the exercises of the lecture room. And 
it is due the excellent brethren who have pursued the 
course, to say, that they have evinced an interest in 
their studies and investigations, which has been in 
the highest degree gratifying. The result, of course, 
has been attained only by an amount of labor and 
application in the work of instruction, which would 
not, under other circumstances, have been under- 
taken : and in a few instances there has been a slight 
change in the order of taking up the several studies ; 
so that both classes have been enabled to attend the 
same exercise. The chief reason for introducing the 
extract in this place is suggested by its introductory 
paragraph. 

COURSE OF INSTRUCTION. 

" Particulars with regard to the Course of Instruc- 
tion as at present pursued, together with some other 
items of information not noticed above, may be 
learned from the Report of the Faculty for the year 
ending: June 20th, 1855, the substance of which, in 
accordance with a suggestion of the Executive Com- 
mittee, and as a means of meeting inquiries which 
are frequently made, which could not so easily be 
met in any other way, is here inserted. 

'The Junior and Senior classes organized at the re- 
opening of the Seminary on the 14th of September, 
have pursued, under Professor Turney, the stu- 



88 APPENDIX. 

dies of the course, without interruption during the 
year. 

The studies of the Junior class have been as follows: 

STUDIES OF THE JUNIOR CLASS. 

IN HEBREW, 

A daily exercise during five months, and a week- 
ly exercise during the remainder of the year, have 
been devoted to an examination of the elements and 
principles of the language — Gesenius' Hebrew Gram- 
mar being chiefly used as a text-book — and to the 
critical reading of several chapters in the Hebrew 
Bible. [The daily exercise is at present extended 
through the year.] 

IN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION, 

Two daily exercises have been had during the 
year, embracing a course of lectures and recitations 
on the following subjects : 

The principles of interpretation, in their appli- 
cation to the various kinds of composition adopted 
by the sacred writers, with criticisms on the notes of 
Ernesti, Carson and others — together with an exam- 
ination of the general character of the sacred writings. 

In the New Testament, an examination of the 
character of the Greek of the New Testament. 

An extended Exegetical Examination of the Epis- 
tle to the Romans. 

General Exposition of the Epistle of James, and 
of the Epistle to the Galatians. 



I 



COURSE OF INSTRUCTION. 89 

Introduction to each of the Epistles of Paul with 
respect to occasion and circumstances of composition, 
contents, style of argument, etc.; together with the 
Chronology and History of the Acts of the Apostles. 

Introduction to each of the Gospels with respect 
to design, style, manner of narrating facts, etc. 

Examination of the Gospels in harmony, with an 
exposition of important passages selected from each. 

In the Old Testament, — in addition to the exer- 
cises in the critical reading of the Hebrew noticed 
above — the History of the Hebrew language in the 
different stages of its development. 

Exposition of important passages selected from 
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zechariah, and Malachi, 
of several of the Messianic Psalms, and of the first 
chapter of Genesis. 

Particular Introduction to each of the Prophetical 
books, — together with the Chronology and History 
of the Israelitish nation, and Biblical Antiquities. 

IN ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 

Lectures have been delivered, and recitations had 
on the state of the Church, external and internal, 
during the first four centuries. In the instruction in 
this department the method adopted in the text- 
books, by which the events or facts pertaining to 
each century, or particular period, are considered by 
themselves, has not been adhered to. After an ex- 
amination of the external history of the Church in 
its relations to the Roman government, and of the 



90 



APPENDIX. 



authorities to be relied on for testimony, the facts 
relating to each usage or opinion have, in connection 
with passing allusions to their cotemporaneous rela- 
tions, been traced on separately and uninterruptedly 
from the apostolic age to the close of the fourth cen- 
tury. 

STUDIES OF THE SENIOR CLASS. 

IN THEOLOGY, 

Daily lectures have been delivered on the follow- 
ing subjects: 

The Importance of Theology, and divisions of the 
subject — Sources of Theological knowledge — Nature 
and sources of evidence — Characteristic properties 
of mind and matter. 

Proofs of the existence of God, metaphysical and 
general — Evidences of Divine Revelation, including 
an examination into the Genuineness of the sacred 
writings — their Credibility — Credibility of the Chris- 
tian miracles — Evidence from prophecy, and the In- 
spiration of the Scriptures. 

Attributes of God — His Eternity, Spirituality, 
Power, Omniscience, Wisdom, Goodness, Holiness, 
Truth, Immutability. 

Creation and primitive state of Man, and his rela- 
tion to his posterity — The Fall and its consequences — 
Present condition of Man — His relation to the govern- 
ment of God — The doctrine of Human Depravity — 
Nature and desert of sin — Necessity of a remedial 
scheme, and the purpose of God respecting it. 



COURSE OF INSTRUCTION. 91 

The Agency involved in the work of redemption — 
Doctrine of Christ's Humanity — His Divinity — Union 
of the two natures in one person — Personality and 
Divinity of the Holy Spirit — General doctrine of the 
Trinity. 

The Work of Christ — His vicarious sacrifice, with 
the general doctrine of the Atonement, its nature, 
its design, its extent — The Obedience of Christ — 
His Resurrection, Exaltation, Intercession, and the 
relation of each to the work of redemption. 

The Work of Redemption in its relation to the 
experience of the believer — The doctrine of Regen- 
eration, of Faith, of Repentance, and their relation 
to each other — The believer's union with Christ — 
His justification — Adoption — Growth and perfection 
in holiness — Perseverance in a state of grace — Re- 
ception to heaven at death — Resurrection of the 
body — Final state. 

Judgment and Destiny of the wicked, and the 
general doctrine of Future Punishment. 

The kingdom of Christ — Its relation to the Patri- 
archal and Mosaic dispensations — Its ultimate exten- 
sion throughout the earth — Its termination on the 
earth, or the second coming of Christ — His Kingdom 
in its internal nature and membership — Its external 
organization, or the Christian Church — Its member- 
ship — Its general polity and government — The office 
of the ministry — The Ordinances of the Gospel — ■ 
Baptism, its design, subjects, form — The Lord's Sup- 



92 APPENDIX. 

per, its design, and prerequisites — The Christian 
Sabbath. 

Each of these subjects has been discussed by 
means of written lectures, accompanied with oral 
remarks and illustrations, and daily reviews and re- 
citations on the part of the class. In one part of the 
course recitations were also had in Paley's Natural 
Theology, parts of Butler's Analogy, and Wilson's 
Evidences of Christianity. 

IN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION, 

The class have examined the argumentative portion 
of the Epistle to the Galatians, parts of the Gospels 
in harmony, and several of the Messianic prophecies. 

IN HOMILETICS AND PASTORAL DUTIES, 

A course of daily exercises has been had, con- 
ducted partly by means of oral and written lectures, 
and partly by recitations in Porter's Lectures on 
Homiletics and Pulpit Eloquence, and Vinet's Pas- 
toral Theology. [In these exercises as at present 
conducted, extending as they do through the year, 
frequent use is also made of Eipley's Sacred Rhet- 
oric, Baxter's Evangelical Pastor, and other standard 
authors.] 

A Weekly Exercise in which the members of both 
classes have participated, has also been had during 
the greater part of the year, in the reading and crit- 
icism of Sermons and plans of sermons, and in Elo- 
cution with special reference to the exercises of the 
pulpit.' 



SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. 93 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

In addition to the foregoing list of studies for the 
Senior class, the course, as at present pursued, em- 
braces an examination of the history of Christianity 
from the fourth to the seventeenth century.' ' 

NOTE D. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION 
ADOPTED. 

We insert at this point the substance of an article 
published in the New York Examiner of December 
27th, 1855, the occasion of which is sufficiently ap- 
parent from the article. The statements contained in 
it with regard to facilities afforded for the instruction 
of "men of different degrees of preparation/' will, 
perhaps, be serviceable chiefly to those who, — from 
representations similar to that referred to in the arti- 
cle, — may have received the impression that the com- 
paratively small number of students in a Theological 
Seminary who may at any time be pursuing a partial 
course, must necessarily be owing to some defect in 
the arrangements for instruction which are adopted. 
It will doubtless always be true that the great majority 
of those who enter upon a theological course of study 
in connection with our Seminaries, will be either 
graduates of Colleges, or those whose attainments 
will enable them to pursue their studies successfully 
along with graduates. Such has been the case in the 



94 APPENDIX. 

history of this Institution ; nor do we apprehend that 
there will be in this respect any essential change in 
future. With the exception of three or four tempo- 
rary students, more than four-fifths of the whole 
number who either have held or now hold a connec- 
tion with the theological classes have entered upon the 
regular course, a very fair proportion of whom have 
been graduates of Colleges. Of the seven belonging 
to the two classes which have already graduated, all 
were students in the regular course, who had prose- 
cuted their preparatory studies at different institutions 
as indicated in the Catalogue. And yet every facility 
has been extended to students of a different class for 
enjoying the advantages of theological instruction 
which the Seminary affords ; nor has there been any 
lack of attention to their " wants," in cases where 
they have chosen to avail themselves of these advan- 
tages. It is true those who have been in circum- 
stances to enable them to acquire the preparation 
necessary to qualify them to pursue the regular course 
of study, have been encouraged to do so. And such, 
we apprehend, will ever be found to be the spirit pre- 
vailing in any well organized and efficient Theologi- 
cal Institution. Would it contribute to the greatest 
efficiency of the ministry, were it otherwise ? 

Nor, again, is anything in the subjoined article in- 
tended to indicate the relative importance attached in 
the system of education adopted, to any particular 
branch of study. The writer does not hesitate to 
express his opinion that the course which will, at least 



SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. 95 

in most cases, be found most serviceable to the theo- 
logical student, is one in which prominence is given 
to those branches of study which have special refer- 
ence to the language and interpretation of the Holy 
Scriptures, and the doctrines of Theology ; at least 
so far as it respects the proportion of time to be spent 
in their examination. And yet these ought not to be 
pursued to the omission or neglect of the other de- 
partments of study usually embraced in a theological 
course. It is especially important that the student 
learn how to use for the purposes of the ministry, and 
to the best advantage, the knowledge which he ac- 
quires in all the departments of study. The views 
of different individuals with regard to the degree of 
attention which should be given to exercises belong- 
ing to the general department of Homiletics, will de- 
pend greatly on the importance attached to effective- 
ness in the manner of presenting truth to the minds 
of men. That its claims to attention are such as to 
warrant its being made a distinct department of study, 
demanding a special course of lectures and exercises, 
is, we think, perfectly obvious. But in addition to 
this, much may be gained by the student, by its be- 
ing kept continually in view throughout his entire 
course. Many of the topics coming under considera- 
tion will be examined with additional interest, as well 
as thoroughness and accuracy, if he is taught to ex- 
amine them, that is, as far as may be deemed practica- 
ble, with reference to the use which may be made of 
them in the active duties of the ministry ; so that tho 



96 APPENDIX, 

attention given to this department of study, instead 
of being a hindrance, may actually be an assistance 
to him in his investigations in other branches of 
knowledge. 

It is not suggested that the arrangement adopted in 
connection with this Seminary for the promotion of 
this object, is intrinsically the best. It is one, how- 
ever, which the writer has found eminently success- 
ful ; nor does he perceive how in its essential features 
it could be improved. The ability on the part of the 
student to use his knowledge readily and effectively, 
without being driven, on the one hand, to the neces- 
sity of delivering his sermons memoriter, or being 
compelled, on the other, to rely too exclusively on his 
manuscript, will, we presume, be readily admitted to 
be an advantage to him in fulfilling the duties of the 
ministry. Although it will be acquired in unequal 
degrees by different individuals, it may, we believe, 
by suitable training, be acquired to a greater or less 
extent by all. 

"Theological Education. 

' Our Theological Seminaries, 9 

The writer of " Notes on the Principles and Prac- 
tice of the Baptist Churches," in his number for No- 
vember 29th, has this remark : " I may, perhaps, be 
permitted to say a word respecting our Theological 
Seminaries. They are all fashioned after the same 
model, the Seminary at Andover." And then, as 



SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. V i 

indicating in what particulars he considers this mo- 
del defective, he asks, " Could they not so arrange 
their instruction as to render it serviceable to men of 
different degrees of preparation ?" — " With due at- 
tention to learning, could they not also labor to make 
preachers ?" etc. The assumption is, if I understand 
the writer, that they are organized with too exclusive 
reference to a single class of students ; and that suffi- 
cient regard is not had, in the mode of instruction 
adopted, to those studies and exercises which have 
direct reference to the work of preaching. This is a 
charge brought indiscriminately against "all our 
Theological Seminaries/' It is no part of my object 
to examine to what extent it may or may not be true 
in its general statement. I propose simply to point 
out its incorrectness in its application to the Seminary 
established at this point. For this purpose I may be 
allowed to refer to some of the characteristic fea- 
tures of the system of education which is now in 
operation. As the Institution, moreover, has but 
just entered on its third year, and as no particular 
statement has as yet been given to the public respect- 
ing its plan of operation in some of its features, some- 
thing of the kind may possibly be demanded as a 
means of information to those who have manifested 
an interest in its origin, and to whom it must look for 
patronage and support. 

I. With regard to provision for the " instruction " 
of "men of different degrees of preparation," it may 
be proper to remark, first of all, that the object has 



98 APPENDIX. 

not been sought by setting aside the general course 
of instruction usually pursued in " Theological Semi- 
naries," nor by introducing any new standard of 
qualifications in those who prosecute it. Indeed it is 
hoped that the time is far distant when our Theologi- 
cal Seminaries will be characterized by less attention 
to " learning, " than at present ; or when the general 
range of studies pursued will be less extensive, or 
the method of prosecuting them less thorough. 

Those who avail themselves fully of the advantages 
for education afforded by the Seminary are expected 
to pursue a course of study designed for graduates of 
colleges, and others whose attainments enable them 
to prosecute such a course successfully, extending 
through a period of two years, and embracing the 
various studies which properly pertain to the Litera- 
ture and Interpretation of the original Scriptures of 
the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastical History, 
Christian Theology, Homiletics, and Pastoral Duties. 
This is the regular course of study. 

Students, however, whose attainments do not ad- 
mit of their pursuing this course, and whose circum- 
stances seem to render it impossible or inexpedient 
for them to make the requisite preparation, are allow- 
ed, after a suitable preliminary training in English 
branches, to enter upon an English course of two years 
in theological studies ; — while others still, who may 
not find it convenient to spend so long a time at the 
Seminary, are permitted to pursue such a course as 
may be deemed most serviceable to them for the time 



SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. 99 

•which can be spent in study. Students in all such 
cases are allowed to attend the exercises of the 
classes in the regular course, so far as the same can 
be made profitable to them ; while in cases not thus 
provided for, special exercises are had, adapted to 
their respective wants. 

By such an arrangement, it is believed adequate 
provision is made for the effective instruction in those 
branches of study which have immediate relation to 
the work of the ministry, of all whom God has 
called to this work who are disposed to avail them- 
selves of it ; and in such a manner that there is not 
the slightest interference with any of the exercises 
pertaining to the regular course of study. 

II. The system of education in operation has been 
adopted not without special regard to those studies 
and exercises which have direct reference to the 
work of preaching. It is not, indeed, proposed to do 
exactly what is expressed in the passage quoted at 
the commencement of this article, viz: to "make 
preachers. 9 * The student must evince his call to the 
ministry by exhibiting those natural capacities for 
public speaking, which are sometimes, although im- 
properly, denominated an "aptness to teach," or all 
efforts to make him an effective speaker may be ex- 
pected to result in failure. And even in cases where 
the effort is successful, the degree of success will, in 
each case, be determined, to a very great extent, by 
the natural endowments, the application, or the 



100 



APPENDIX. 



general habits of the student. What is proposed is, 
to famish a system of education which shall be 
adapted the most effectually to aid the student in 
acquiring the ability to present readily and effectively 
before an audience the truths of the gospel. The 
method which has been adopted for this purpose is, 
in some of its prominent features, the following : 

1. During the greater part of the Senior year one 
daily exercise is devoted to those studies which have 
direct reference to the preparation and delivery of 
sermons, and the various exercises of the pulpit. 

2. In addition to this, it is provided, that "one 
weekly exercise, at least, shall, during the entire 
course, be devoted to instruction in the direct work 
of preaching.' ' 

3. It is made the duty of the professor in each de- 
partment of study — as in Theology, the History of 
Christianity, and the Interpretation of the Scrip- 
tures — to "explain and illustrate the manner in which 
the branches pursued may be made serviceable to 
the work of the ministry, and to this end to have 
frequent exercises with those under his instruction, 
in the preparation of sermons on topics related to the 
subjects coming under examination. " 

4. Another feature of the system, — and one that 
has been found in its practical operation to be 
attended with the happiest results, — is that the 
student who has the approval of his church, shall 
be, not permitted merely, but " encouraged/' under 
the general direction of the Faculty, to engage, as 



SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. 101 

often as practicable, in the work of preaching. He 
is thus, during his entire course of theological study, 
learning to preach, not in theory merely, but in prac- 
tice; and that too under circumstances the most 
favorable for his improvement. 

In the exercises of the lecture room, special at- 
tention is given to the different subjects suitable to 
be treated of in the pulpit, the proper manner of pre- 
senting, arranging, discussing, and illustrating them, 
the different methods of treating particular passages 
selected as texts, the style or mode of expression 
suitable to be used for different purposes, — in connec- 
tion with frequent elocutionary and rhetorioal exer- 
cises having reference to the delivery of sermons, the 
public reading of the Scriptures and of hymns, etc. 

Each student, moreover, during the continuance 
of these exercises, is required as often as once a 
month to present a written sermon on some subject 
selected by himself, or assigned him by his instructor, 
in a form and style suitable for it to be spoken (not 
read) in the pulpit. After it has been subjected to 
criticism, it is returned to its author to be re-exam- 
ined, and, if necessary, re-constructed and re-written, 
with the requisition that it be presented, in the use 
of appropriate language, the second time, without 
the aid of the manuscript, and without abridgment 
as to any of the thoughts embraced in it. By this pro- 
cess the student is naturally led to associate his ideas 
permanently with suitable modes of expression ; and 
in his attempt so to arrange and express his thoughts 



102 APPENDIX. 

as to promote distinctness of impression and readiness 
of recollection in his own mind, he is preparing the 
way the most effectually for the same results to be 
effected in the minds of his hearers. He is, above 
all, acquiring a self-command in the presentation of 
truth, which will be of incalculable benefit to him in 
the work of the ministry. Whatever objections may 
be urged against the process here indicated, in view 
of the time necessary to be spent by the student in 
making the requisite preparation, or by the instructor 
in seeing that the work is thoroughly done, there is, 
perhaps, no practical exercise having reference to a 
preparation for the duties of the pulpit, which will be 
found more profitable to the student. The experi- 
ment in connection with this Seminary has been at- 
tended with the most gratifying results. 

The foregoing statements will indicate to what ex- 
tent there has been in the adoption of the system of 
education in operation at this Seminary, practical re- 
gard to the importance, in the minister of the gospel, 
of effectiveness in preaching. While it is true the 
measure of success attending each case will depend 
very much on the mental constitution and previous 
habits of the student, the writer is unable to perceive 
how a system of education could in itself, at least in 
its essential features, be better adapted to promote 
the end proposed. e. t. 

Fairmount Theological Seminary y Dec. 14, 1855." 



ADVANTAGES OF CULTURE. 103 

NOTE E. 

THE ADVANTAGES OF A THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION, AND 
THE DUTY OF THOSE CALLED TO THE MINISTRY WITH 
REFERENCE TO IT. 

We shall not, we trust, be understood in anything 
which has been said respecting the desirableness of 
a theological education, as expressing what the ad- 
vocates of ministerial culture are sometimes accused 
of asserting, to-wit, that no one who has not enjoyed 
the advantages of a regular course of study, ought 
to enter the ministry. Reference is had simply to 
the kind of preparation which, according to the rep- 
resentation of the New Testament, is needed, and to 
the obligation of every minister of Christ to seek 
it to the extent of his ability. While it may be se- 
cured by other means than those afforded by our 
Theological Seminaries, it is nevertheless believed to 
be true that these afford the most convenient and 
effectual provision for attaining the object. They 
are the means which God has provided in his provi- 
dence for those whom he calls to preach the gospel, 
to prepare in the shortest time, and in the best man- 
ner, for the duties of the ministry. The student, 
with the advantages pertaining to a regular course 
of theological study, may secure in a single year, 
what it might require many for him to accomplish 
under other circumstances, or which, in the great 
majority of cases, he would fail of securing at all. 



104 APPENDIX. 

The author recollects to have heard the lamented 
Alfred Bennett once remark at a public meeting, 
that, while, by a diligent use of the means within his 
reach, he had overcome in a good degree, the embar- 
rassments which he experienced in his early ministry 
from his want of education, lie felt that it had been 
at a great sacrifice of time and usefulness ; — his at- 
tainments had been made under great disadvantages, 
and through a series of many years. And it was 
this early experience combined with a conviction 
arising from careful general observation, which made 
him, during the most useful period of his ministry, 
so hearty and firm a friend to the cause of ministerial 
education, — evidence of which we find in the resolu- 
tions " sustained " by him, and adopted at the meet- 
ings of the " General Convention, " held in Cincin- 
nati in 1833 and '34. One of these, adopted in 1834, 
is as follows: " Resolved, that we consider the edu- 
cation of ministers highly important as a means of 
enabling them to exhibit appropriately and forcibly 
the truths of the gospel/ ' 

Again, it should be borne in mind that while a few, 
like Father Bennett, through the force of native talent 
and energy, succeed in overcoming, to a great ex- 
tent, the difficulties arising from a want of early cul- 
ture, it is far otherwise with the great majority of 
ministers similarly situated. Their want of education 
continues to be through life, not only an embarrass- 
ment to themselves, but a serious hindrance to their 
usefulness. Hence the case of the few who have 



ADVANTAGES OF CULTURE. 105 

risen above these embarrassments of their early life, 
and become distinguished for their usefulness, could 
be, — even were we to throw entirely out of the 
account the hindrances and difficulties which they 
actually experienced, — an example only to such as 
are conscious that they possess the native talent and 
energy and perseverance which will insure similar 
results. 

And here we would urge upon those who have 
evidence that God has called them to the work of the 
ministry, the inquiry, whether they are justified in 
consenting to contend through life with difficulties 
and hindrances to their usefulness, which the requi- 
site application and self-denial would suffice to remove. 
Does the Lord of the harvest excuse them for this 
waste of time and energy, when the means of im- 
provement are within their reach ? Is it objected 
that the course indicated will be in the case of many 
an individual attended with inconvenience; or that it 
will require a degree of mental application which is 
felt by him to be irksome ? We ask, may not this 
very labor be a part of the work to which he is 
called? See Mark iii, 14. Must he not, if he would 
sustain the character of " a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ," be willing to " endure hardness?" 1 And, 
perhaps, it is at this very point that his willingness to 
endure hardness and self-denial for Christ, is to be 
put most severely to the test. Perhaps the incon- 
venience and application necessary to qualify him to 

1 2 Tim. ii, & 



106 APPENDIX. 

become an able minister of the New Testament, is 
the very thing which, above all others, he is unwill- 
ing to " endure." He may possibly find it far easier 
to submit, if need be, to physical hardship and en- 
durance, in the service of Christ, than to a course of 
mental training. Shall he then consult the things 
which will most conduce to his ease or his conve- 
nience, with the plea that God requires simply what 
he has given? Ought he not rather to regard his 
gifts in the light of property committed to him for 
improvement, for increase ; so that from a single 
" pound" originally given, he may bring to the ser- 
vice of his Lord ten? Has God called him to the 
work of the ministry? Does He not, then, require 
him to make the most of his talents and energies for 
the promotion of the great object had in view ? Is 
it not made incumbent on him to " study," to exert 
himself, to exercise diligence, earnestness, striving, l 
to qualify himself to become " a workman that 
needeth not 'to be ashamed?' 

NOTE F. 

ADVANTAGES OF THE SEMINARY IN THEIR RELATION TO 
THOSE ALREADY IN THE MINISTRY. 

It will doubtless always be true that the majority 
of those who avail themselves of the advantages for 
education afforded by our Theological Seminaries, 

1 <nrovJ*£m. Comp. 2 Pet. i, 10;. 2 Tim. iv, 21 ; Phil, ii, 
28 ; 2 Cor. viii, 16. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE SEMINARY. 107 

will be " young men approved by the churches for 
the ministry," but who have not fully entered upon 
its duties. There is no reason, however, why these 
advantages should not be extended equally to all 
" approved ministers of the gospel " who may be dis- 
posed to avail themselves of them. In several 
instances, indeed, those who have enjoyed the bene- 
fits of the course of theological study pursued at this 
Seminary, had, after graduating from college, been 
successfully engaged for a succession of years as 
pastors of churches. While it is true in the case of 
these brethren, that time would have been gained by 
their having pursued such a course at an earlier 
period, they were, nevertheless, enabled, in the 
event, to come to its prosecution with a maturity of 
mind, and a measure of experience, which may have 
prepared them to appreciate more fully its advan- 
tages. And they have engaged anew in the labors 
of the ministry, with the full conviction that their 
time had been well spent, and that, with the blessing 
of God upon their lives, the sum of their usefulness 
would be increased. Are there not others now in the 
ministry, who, without serious inconvenience, could 
avail themselves of similar advantages with the hope 
of similar results ? 



108 APPENDIX. 

NOTE G. 

CULTIVATION OF THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT BY THEOLOGI- 
CAL STUDENTS. 

The foregoing is the heading of an article pub- 
lished in the March number of the Macedonian, 1856, 
which we here insert. 

"It is an admitted fact, that the existence of a 
living, effective missionary spirit in the body of the 
ministry, is necessary to the highest success of the 
missionary enterprise. And it is scarcely less appa- 
rent that no period in a minister's life is so favorable 
for the successful cultivation of this spirit, as that ap- 
propriated to his preparatory studies. Most of those 
who have been sent out from this country as mission- 
aries to the heathen, received their first deep and in- 
delible impressions with regard to their duty, before 
completing their course of study. 

Regard for these facts has been had in the organ- 
ization of this Seminary. The object indicated has 
been kept steadily in view in the arrangements for 
education which have from time to time been adopted, 
and such means have been employed to promote 
it as the circumstances of the case seemed to call 
for. 

In accordance with this general purpose, a Society 
has recently been organized among the students, the 
object of which is * to cultivate a missionary spirit 
among the members, and to assist them in determin- 



MISSIONARY SPIRIT. 109 

ing their personal duty with regard to their field of 
labor in the gospel ministr}^' — a prominent means 
to these ends being ' inquiry into the moral and re- 
ligious condition of the world, and the results of mis- 
sionary labor among the heathen.' In becoming 
connected with the Society, each student, after atten- 
tively considering the nature and design of the or- 
ganization, expresses his deep conviction of the 'im- 
portance of a 'practical regard for the Saviour's great 
command, Go ye into all the world, and preach the 
gospel to every creature/ and his willingness and 
determination to ' hold himself ready, upon complet- 
ing his preparatory studies, to enter whatever field 
of labor may, after prayerful and earnest inquiry, be 
indicated to him in the providence of God.' The 
design is to give the inquiries relating to the moral 
and religious condition of the world, and the subject 
of missions in general, a definite, practical aim, and 
to keep the question of personal responsibility con- 
tinually before the mind of the student, during his 
course of study. In furtherance of the same object, 
in addition to a monthly meeting for the communica- 
tion of missionary intelligence, provision is made for 
another, for prayer and free religious conference 
amon^ the members. 

o 

Most of the students have become members of the 
association ; and it is hoped it will prove to be an 
important auxiliary in promoting the general object 
had in view in the founding of the Seminary. Whether 
our young men who enter the ministry, decide to 



110 APPENDIX. 

labor at home or to become missionaries to the hea- 
then, it is important that they become inseparably 
and practically identified with the missionary cause ; 
that they regard it as their own, and consider them- 
selves responsible, to the extent of their ability, for 
its success. 

Of the members of our first class, two have gon 
out as missionaries to the destitute, and are now suc- 
cessfully laboring, one in Iowa, and the other in an 
interesting field in this State. The students now in 
attendance have almost without exception entered 
with Great readiness into the arrangement which has 
been adopted for the prosecution of missionary labors 
to a limited extent in connection with their course of 
study. Weekly exercises under the general super- 
vision of the faculty, for the purpose of preaching or 
imparting religious instruction in some form, are held 
at some ten or twelve different points in Cincinnati 
and vicinity, and, for the most part, among the poor 
and the destitute. Yery many, who would not other- 
wise attend a place of worship, are thus brought 
within the sound of the gospel ; the young are 
guarded against the evils to which they are exposed ; 
and the good seed is sown in many hearts, where it 
may ultimately spring up and bring forth fruit to the 
glory of God. The direct and obvious results of 
these efforts have, in not a few instances, been ex- 
ceedingly encouraging. e. t. 

Fairmount Theological Seminary , Feb. 5, 1856." 



PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. HI 

NOTE H. 

LOCATION OF GRADUATES. 

Of those who have graduated from the established 
course of study, all have left with fair prospects of 
usefulness in the ministry. Of this number one is at 
present in Indiana, one is settled in Western New 
York, two in Ohio, two in Illinois — and one, recently 
of Iowa, is now stationed at Nebraska City. If this 
distribution may be regarded as in any good degree 
indicative of the field in the Northwest to be culti- 
vated in the future operations of the Seminary, one 
important requisite to its accomplishing the object 
had in view in its origin, will be realized. 

NOTE I. 

THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. 

The design in the foregoing articles has been 
chiefly to give information respecting the Seminary 
in its relation to theological instruction. An import- 
ant arrangement for enabling a portion of those who 
may be benefited by such instruction, to pursue the 
requisite preparatory studies, exists in the Prepaid' 
tory Department. A good work has already been 
accomplished in this department. The following, 
published in the Journal and Messenger, for July 
12th, 1856, as it belongs to the history of the Semi- 



112 



APPENDIX. 



nary, and as it has special reference to this De- 
partment, may without impropriety be introduced in 
this connection. 

" RESIGNATION OF PROF. STONE. 

Prof. M. Stone has resigned his Professorship in the 
Fairmount Theological Seminary, and accepted a call 
to the pastorship of the Baptist church in Lebanon, 
0. We have been permitted to publish the following- 
letter to him from Prof. Turney, showing how pleas- 
ant and harmonious have always been the relations 
between them. — [Ed. J. & M.] 

Fairmount Theo. Sem., June 30, 1856. 

My Dear Brother — As you have felt it to be your 
duty, with a view to again entering the pastoral re- 
lation, to resign your place in this Seminary, as 
" Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, 
and Principal of the Preparatory Department/ ' you 
will allow me, in lieu of the usual testimonial from 
the Faculty in similar cases, to present you with a 
simple, unrestrained expression of my own individual 
sentiments of regard and affection. The three years 
during which we have labored and prayed and coun- 
seled together with regard to the interests of this 
Institution, have been, — notwithstanding the anxiety 
and toil and self-denial incident to the history of a new 
enterprise beset with pecuniary embarrassments, — 
among the happiest of my life. The experience of 



PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. 113 

the period has endeared you to my heart, as a Chris- 
tian brother, and a fellow-laborer in the cause of 
Christ, in a manner, which will, I believe, through 
life, afford occasion for the most pleasing and grate- 
ful recollection. 

Although each has had his specific department of 
labor, the general duties and interests of the Semi- 
nary, have, nevertheless, brought us into daily con- 
tact. The cases arising, especially from the state of 
affairs naturally pertaining to the origin of the Insti- 
tution, in which consultation with reference to its 
interests has been necessary, have been numerous 
and diversified in their character, and not unfre- 
quently beset with difficulties. And yet, while each 
has been free in the expression of his opinion, there 
have been, I believe, a oneness of aim, and a sym- 
pathy of spirit, which have uniformly led to a 
satisfactory result. The pleasure arising from the 
retrospect of our intercourse, during the time in 
which we have been associated in labor, is, I believe, 
unalloyed by the recollection of a single circumstance 
giving occasion for misunderstanding, or requiring 
explanation, or the utterance of a single word 
adapted in the slightest degree to rufffe the spirit or 
awaken an unpleasant emotion. Although our rela- 
tions arising from a connection with this Institution 
are now dissolved, our hearts will, I trust, ever con- 
tinue to be united in a common sympathy with what- 
ever pertains to the prosperity of the cause of Christ. 

You have my most sincere and earnest wishes and 
8 



114 APPENDIX. 

prayers for your future prosperity and continued 
usefulness, not doubting that the same sincerity of 
purpose and devotion of spirit which have character- 
ized your labors here, will attend you in your new 
relation ; and that you will still cherish an unabated 
interest in this Institution, and be willing, as you 
have opportunity, to labor for its prosperity. 

I am, as ever, yours truly and affectionately, in 
the Gospel of Christ, 

Edmund Turney. 

Rev. Prof. M. Stone. 

NOTE J. 

TESTIMONIAL OF EXAMINATION. 

The following testimonial is copied from the Jour- 
nal and Messenger, and relates to the public Examin- 
ation of classes held June 14th, 16th and 17th, 1856. 
It may serve to illustrate, to some extent, the practi- 
cal working of the method of instruction indicated in 
the third and fourth of the foregoing articles, whereby 
it is sought, not only to interest the student in the ex- 
amination of the several subjects coming under no- 
tice, but to make the knowledge acquired directly 
available for the purposes for which it may be re- 
quired. 

After allusion to a suspension of the examination in 
the Preparatory Department, occasioned by the ab* 
eence of a majority of those at this time belonging to 



TESTIMONIAL OF EXAMINATION. 115 

the department, in consequence of special arrange- 
ments for the summer, having reference to provision 
for their pecuniary wants,* it is added : 

" The exercises were confined to the several studies 
embraced in the theological course. — It was the privi- 
lege of the undersigned to attend the examination, — 
and they deem it due alike to the Seminary, and to 
the cause of ministerial education, to give this expres- 
sion of the high gratification which the occasion af- 
forded them. 

The studies that came under review were, Hebrew, 
Biblical Interpretation, Theology, Homiletics, Pasto- 
ral Duties, and Ecclesiastical History. There had 
been evidently no casting of parts — each student was 
thrown upon the resources of the moment. And the 
readiness and accuracy with which questions were 
answered by the students, were a most honorable tes- 
timony both to the thoroughness of the instruction 
given, and to the success with which they had been 
trained up. It was, also, interesting to observe how 
the mode of conducting recitations contributes directly 

*It may be proper to remark, that an arrangement exists 
thereby approved applicants receive from the Education So- 
ciety an appropriation amounting to $80 per annum in all 
cases where it is needed. Students have usually spent their 
summers in laboring for the American Tract Society, the 
American Sunday School Union, or some similar organiza- 
tion, or in supplying destitute churches, whereby they have 
realized an additional amount, to aid them in the prosecution 
of their studies. 



116 APPENDIX, 

to a sure accumulation of knowledge, as well as to 
the power of original investigation. 

We are free to say, that the best argument to min- 
isterial education is the annual examination and com- 
mencement of the Seminary. God grant that this 
anniversary may soon come to be reckoned one of the 
chief feasts of our beloved Zion. 

S. W. Adams, 
W. F. Hansell, 
H. S. Dale." 

NOTE K. 

THE LIBRARY OF THE SEMINARY. 

We here insert a paragraph from the Catalogue 
of the Seminary, which has a very obvious relation to 
the means adapted to promote the object had in view 
in its establishment. 

" The Library formerly belonging to the Institute 
at Covington has come into the possession of the Semi- 
nary, and, together with the thirteen hundred vol- 
umes which had previously been gathered, consti- 
tutes a choice collection of nearly four thousand 
volumes. It is, in the character of the books, well 
adapted to the wants of the Seminary, being particu- 
larly rich in theological, biblical, and historical works, 
including text-books for the use of students ; besides 
containing a valuable collection in the department of 
general religious and secular literature.' ' 



ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEMINARY. 117 
NOTE L. 

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEMINARY, JUNE 17, 1857. 

The following brief statement with regard to the 
Exercises of the Fourth Anniversary of the Seminary, 
June 17, 1857, is inserted in the present edition, in 
accordance with the wishes of brethren who were 
present on the occasion. 

The number of addresses by the young men, as 
indicated by the scheme, was five, followed by an 
address to the graduates by Prof. Turney. To the 
list of members of the Senior Class, however, should 
be added the name of Lansing Bailey, A. M., late 
Pastor of the Baptist Church in Cheviot, and recently 
settled with the Baptist Church in New London, 
whose engagements prevented his attendance at the 
anniversary, — thus making the whole number of 
brethren completing their course of study with this 
anniversary, six. 

" After the collation in the grove, short and 
spirited speeches were made by brethren Hansell, 
Sutton, Lyon, Bedell, Colver, Dickinson, and Bickeil, 
expressing their high gratification with the exer- 
cises of the occasion, and their confident hopes for 
the future prosperity and progress of the Seminary." 
Several of the brethren remarked, that, although 
they had frequently attended the commencement ex- 
ercises of Theological Seminaries in the Eastern and 
Middle States, they had never witnessed anything 



118 APPENDIX. 

of the kind more entirely satisfactory throughout, or 
which reflected more credit on the Institution repre- 
sented, than the exercises which had just closed. 

The general impression made by the exercises, is 
sufficiently indicated by the following extracts from 
public notices of the Anniversary. 

The Editor of the Journal and Messenger, referring 
to the exercises, says : 

" The performances of the Senior Class were good, 
very good ; the whole occasion pleasant, very plea- 
sant ; and the general opinion formed of the tenden- 
cies of the instruction here given on the character of 
the student, was favorable, very favorable." 

The following appears in the Witness, of Indian- 
apolis : 

" The addresses, both in composition and delivery, 
were excellent. The subjects were well chosen, dis- 
cussed in a liberal minded, sensible manner, and well 
spoken — the elocution was worthy of special com- 
mendation, natural, easy, impressive. J. S." 

The Pastor of a Baptist Church in Ohio, in the 
Christian Times, says : 

" The young men acquitted themselves with credit. 
Their addresses were of a high order, well written, 
and for the most part uncommonly well delivered. 
They gave evidence of being trained to habits of in- 
dependent reflection. There was energy, directness 
and simplicity in their style of composition and man- 
ner of delivery. And then, better than all, there 



ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEMINARY. 119 

was a tone of earnest and unaffected piety running 
through all their productions, which touched the 
heart, and commanded the respect of the entire 
audience. 

The address to the class was happily conceived 
and expressed ; the themes of the young men sug- 
gesting the topics of remark and counsel to them. 

H. M. R » 

The following is from the Christian Chronicle, of 
Philadelphia : 

" The exercises were most gratifying. The speeches 
were all well conceived, well written, and well spoken. 

It was my privilege to attend during the examina- 
tion of two of the classes. I have rarely witnessed 
anything of the kind more satisfactory. The young 
men had evidently been trained to examine and 
think. It was delightfully manifest that they had 
ideas ; and were at no loss to express them. 

A larger number of friends than usual were brought 
together to enjoy the occasion. The expression of 
satisfaction was universal and decided. 

Dayton, June, 1857. E. W. D." 

The following from Rev. B. Bedell of Wilmington, 
O., appears in the Journal and Messenger, to the 
closing paragraph of which particular attention is 
solicited : 

"From my first arrival on the grounds, I was 
pleased — when once on the summit of the hill, I for- 
got my fatigue, I was charmed ! 



120 APPENDIX. 

But it is not of the hill or the building, but of the 
Institution itself, that I would speak to the churches. 
It is emphatically a ' theological ' institute. It is a 
place where good, strong, clear, Bible theology is 
examined, discussed, and treasured up in the minds 
and hearts of the young men, fitting them to ' teach 
others also.' 

Not being in to hear the examination of the classes, 
I sat down in their rooms and enjoyed a better oppor- 
tunity, perhaps, than a public examination would 
have afforded me, to judge of their theological and 
literary attainments. * * * * * 

But last, though not least, I was struck with their 
realization of the greatness and responsibility of the 
ministerial work and the pastoral office. This feature 
of their education was patent to all who had the 
privilege of hearing the addresses of the graduates. 

I feel more than ever urgent to see the churches 
awake to the interest of this Institution. Let us have 
more praying and laboring for it. Pastors, look after 
those young men of talent and piety among you, who 
are contending with their convictions of duty. En- 
courage them to cherish their inward call, and at the 
same time advise them to seize this and every avail- 
able opportunity of preparing themselves for this 
good work. 

Wilmington, July 1, 1857. B. B." 

END OF THE APPENDIX. 



\M. 



THE 

KINGDOM OP CHRIST 

IN THE 

PRINCIPLES OP ITS ORGANIZATION; 

INCLUDING THE 

SCRIPTURAL LAW OF BAPTISM 

WITH RESPECT TO 

ITS DESIGN, ITS PORM, ITS SUBJECTS ITS AUTHORITY, 

AND 

ITS RELATIVE POSITION. 
BY EDMU1VD TURNEY, 

PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND INTERPRETATION IN THE 
FAIRMOUNT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 



Anderson, Burr & Co., in connection with Sheldon, Blake- 
man & Co., are about to publish, in attractive form and style, 
an edition of the above mentioned work. Orders for the work 
may be forwarded either to the publishers at Toledo, or New 
York, or to Anderson, Gates & Wright, or G. S. Blanchard, 
Cincinnati. 

The work, in the form in which it was originally published, 
consists, as its title indicates, of five parts, aside from (lie 
Introduction and the exegetical and explanatory Notes in the 
Appendix. 

The first relates to the general and symbolic design of bap- 
tism in its various aspects and relations. 

The second has for its object to show that the act enjoined in 
baptism, and which is inseparable from a proper observance of 
the rite, as is indicated by its design, the meaning of the word, 
and the practice of the primitive Christians, is immersion. 

(i ) 



11 SCRIPTURAL LAW OF BAPTISM. 

Part third, which occupies somewhat more than one-third 
part of the whole work, in treating the question respecting the 
proper subjects of baptism, in its various aspects, scriptural 
logical, historical, practical, gives occasion for a full examina- 
tion of the scriptural doctrine respecting the spiritual nature 
of the church of Christ, and the essential qualifications for 
membership in his kingdom, as distinguished from relation- 
ship claimed on the ground of natural birth-right, the supposed 
efficacy of external rites, etc. 

Part fourth is designed to enforce the obligation of those who 
believe in Christ, regardless of the acts of others, to profess their 
faith in him in the ordinance which he has appointed for this 
purpose. 

Part fifth is chiefly an exposition of the scriptural terms of 
admission to the Lord's Supper, as an ordinance to be observed 
within the church. 



Since the announcement for the publication of a revised edi- 
tion of this work, it has been thought that its character and 
design would be more precisely indicated by a change in its 
title to the form presented above. 

A principal design of the work as originally published, was 
to treat of baptism, not as an external rite merely, but with 
regard to its import and relations as the initiatory rite of the 
church of Christ, as being indicative of Christian character 
and experience and relationship to the kingdom of Christ, of the 
nature of the church as a spiritual body, of the terms of admis- 
sion to its fellowship, of the rights and responsibility of its 
members, etc. 

With such additions as the nature of the case may require, 
and a suitable index of subjects, it will, it is believed, be found 
to be a complete exhibition of the doctrine of the Scriptures 
respecting the kingdom of Christ in the principles of its organiza- 
tion, as well as of whatever pertains specifically to the scrip- 
tural law of baptism in its various relations and aspects. 



TESTIMONIALS. Ill 

The following are among the expressions of opinion which 
.have been given with regard to the character of the work as 
originally published, and its adaptation to answer the purpose 
for which it was designed, — to which the publishers invite 
attention : 

From the New York Recorder. 

" "We call the attention of our readers to this work with un- 
qualified pleasure. With singular success, the author has laid 
open the scriptural and philosophical grounds of Baptist faith, 
commending his arguments to consideration equally by their 
truthful cogency, and their scholar-like and Christian tone. 

"We have long felt the need of a work which should depart 
from the common track, and show the harmony of Baptist sen- 
timents with the individualizing tendencies of the Christian 
religion, thus adding to arguments from philology the demands 
of the believer's consciousness. 

Such a work we have now before us, written in a style of 
simplicity and lucidness, which, while it will gratify a culti- 
vated taste, will render it intelligible to ordinary minds/' 

From the Christian Review. 
"This excellent treatise on Baptism is distinguished by 
strong, clear and philosophical views, and shows abundant 
proof that it originated from a thinking mind. It is one of the 
best and most satisfactory works on the subject which we have 
seen. It treads in a new and higher path than most books on 
the same topic, — is calm, clear and convincing, and may be set 
down as a decided advancement in the literature of the bap- 
tismal controversy." 

From the Neiv York Baptist Register. 

" The body of the work demonstrates the propriety and 
truthfulness of its title. The scriptural authority in regard to 
the ordinance is adduced with great clearness, and its design 
is presented with striking originality and force. Indeed, no 



IV SCRIPTURAL LAW OF BAPTISM. 

work has appeared on this subject in these modern day 
languished by so much originality. IN" or has anyone c *a 
under our notice evincing more admirably throughout th\ 
manly dignity and Christian courtesy of an enlarged anc. 
elevated piety. 

As a standard work, it must hereafter take a conspicuous 
place ; and the more extensively it is examined, the more sub- 
stantial will be its reputation. We have not room for an elabo- 
rate article in regard to it ; but we will venture this assurance 
to all those who purchase it, that if it fails to give them new 
and original views on this subject, or does not come up to their 
expectations, we will refund all that they have expended for it. 
It is a book that should receive an extensive circulation." 

From the Michigan Christian Herald. 
" The sound philosophical, as well as scriptural, argumenta- 
tion presented in the work, — its originality as a whole, — its 
mild, yet manly, spirit, — its perspicuity and logical conclu- 
siveness, must place it in the front rank of this description of 
literature." 

From the Christian Watchman. 

u We are much pleased with the plan, the style, the reason- 
ing, the tone, and the spirit of this book. 

The work has received strong testimonials from many gen- 
tlemen of high standing, as one of learning, candor and judg- 
ment, who unite in commending it to the attention of all who 
are inquiring on this subject." 

From the Theological Professors at Madison University. 

"We hesitate not to say that we know of no treatise on the 
same subject better adapted to be useful, and none which more 
clearly and happily illustrates the scriptural view of the design 
and nature of Christian baptism. The spirit of candor and 
impartiality in which it is written, is eminently adapted to 
commend its arguments to the candid consideration of all who 



TESTIMONIALS. V 

are conscientiously desirous of obtaining correct views of the 
ordinances of the gospel. 

"We think the work ought to be published, and that great 
good may be expected from its extensive circulation. 

J. S. Maginnis, 

T. J. COXANT, 

Hamilton, N. Y., July 22, 1846. Geo. W. Eaton." 

From Prof. A, C. KendricJc, of Madison University, July 
6, 1846. 

Alluding to the section on the "meaning of the word," he 
says: "The manuscript which you left with me I attentively 
perused, — and was much gratified with the candor, accuracy 
and clearness of the discussion of the topics embraced." 

From Bev. W. B. Williams, D. D. t New York, July 31, 1846. 

"I have read several chapters and sections. These suffi- 
ciently show the clear and forcible character of the work. — 
Even our Psedobaptist brethren must allow the sustained spirit 
of Christian moderation and kindness which renders the man- 
agement of the subject both more winning and more cogent." 

From Bev. J. Doivling, D. P., New York, July 27, 1840. 

Having examined the portion of the work which treats of the 
"design of baptism," he says : "The fact that you have made 
the general and symbolic design of the ordinance the starling 
point in your argument, and have treated this part of the sub- 
ject in a manner so thorough, so original, and so striking, has 
invested your work, in my mind, with a degree of interest I 
could hardly have supposed I should feel in a new work on 
this subject." 

From Prof. J. II Baymond, of Madison University, June 

22, 184G. 

u The most recent phases of Pa3d0ba.pt ism receive an appro- 
priate share of attention ; and the style of reasoning adopted in 



VI SCRIPTURAL LAW OF BAPTISM. 

the portions I have read, appears to me eminently adapted to 
meet difficulties in the minds of our Psedobaptist brethren, too 
generally overlooked by our writers, or not treated -with the 
respect due, if not to the difficulties themselves, to the minds 
which are embarrassed by them. 

I sincerely hope that the book will be published, and find 
its way into the hands not merely of Baptists, but of intelligent 
and candid men in other denominations ; who will see that 
the Baptist argument, so far from being exhausted, is only 
beginning to be developed." 

From Rev. R. Turnbull, D. D., Hartford, Ct. 

"Its tone is candid and kind, — its arguments clear and con- 
vincing. It is one of the most complete and satisfactory dis- 
cussions of the subject — written in a good spirit, and suitable 
to be placed in the hands of Pasdobaptist inquirers." 

From Rev. E. E. L. Taylor, D. JD., Brooklyn, N. Y. 

In connection with allusion to "the originality and clearness 
with which the subject is treated by argument and Biblical 
interpretation," to the fact, that the very " passages relied upon 
for the support of Psedobaptism," are shown to " furnish addi- 
tional testimony to the contrary," etc., he says : 

"I most heartily recommend the work as being eminently 
adapted to produce conviction on the subject of which it treats, 
as well as to edify, encourage, and strengthen those who are 
already established in the truth." 

From Rev. W. W. Everts, D. D., Louisville, Ey. 

"It develops the scripture doctrine of baptism not merely 
by critical notices of particular passages, but by a learned, able 
and exegetical examination of the entire harmony of the Scrip- 
tures in regard to the design, form and subjects of this ordi- 
nance." "Its allusions to classical and ecclesiastical writers 
evince the accuracy and candor of the Christian scholar." 



TESTIMONIALS. Vll 

Omitting expressions of the same general import from Drs 
Sharp of Boston, Tucker of New York, and others, the pub 
lishers deem it sufficient to call attention to the following: 

From an extended notice of the work in the Christian Beview, 
by President Bailey ) of Granville College, December, 1847. 

"We know not where we should look for another work upon 
a controverted subject so firm and decided in the defense of the 
truth, and yet so kind and courteous in its bearing toward 
those who, for any cause, had fallen into error. — In its spirit it 
is a model for all who may have occasion to speak or write 
under similar circumstances. 

It is not only kind in its spirit, but scholar-like and thor- 
ough in its investigations. — The author, in his undertaking, 
has acquitted himself like a man at every turn of the argument; 
at every point in the discussion, he is thoroughly furnished 
and prepared for any emergency. — There are not a few, we 
hope, who will find in this work what they love, clear, unadul- 
terated truth ; or, to change the figure, truth resting firmly and 
securely on her iron pillars. 

In his exposition of passages relied upon to sustain the 
practice of infant baptism, he is strong, full, and perfectly sat- 
isfactory. We see not how, in fairness, an exception can be 
taken to the construction which lie has given to these disputed 
portions of the word of God. This part of his work he has ex- 
tended to the greatest length, and has executed with the 
greatest patience and fidelity. And his argument is worthy 
not only of being read, but of being carefully studied by all 
sincere inquirers after the truth as it is in Jesus. 

We had intended to give some instances, in which, by a 
faithful exposition, he turns the very weapons of his opponents 
against themselves. But our limits will not permit. 

We lay down this volume with a solemn conviction of the 
importance of th e principles which distinguish 
us as a denomination." 



BIBLICAL CATECHISM; 



GUIDE TO EELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 

IN THE FAMILY 

AND 

SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
BY EDMUND TURNEY, 

PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND INTERPRETATION IN THE 
FAIRMOUNT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 



This work is shortly to be issued by Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., 
Isew York, and Anderson, Burr & Co., Toledo. 

The plan of the work was first submitted to several brethren, 
in whose judgment the author has great confidence, in the 
autumn of 1855. From the expressions of approval and inter- 
est in the object, then given, the author has been induced to 
proceed to the execution of the plan ; and, except for the pres- 
sure of professional duties, the work would probably have ere 
this been issued from the press. 

The design of the work is to make the youthful mind familiar 
with the doctrines and precepts of the Bible, in their applica- 
bility to the various relations and responsibilities of life, with 
the evidences of the truth and divine authority of the Christian 
religion, the principles which regulate the organization of the 
church, etc., and thus to erect a bulwark against the influence 
of the various prevalent forms of infidelity and religious error. 

The author proposes to submit the work, before it is pub- 
lished, to the examination of brethren distinguished for their 
knowledge of Christian theology and experience in the ministry 
in different sections of the country, for which arrangement* 
have, in part, been already completed. 

( viii ) 



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